Scrumptious Apple Crumble Bars with Homemade Caramel Sauce: A Decadent Fall Dessert

These Apple Crumble Bars feature a buttery crust topped with juicy, cinnamon-spiced apples and a rich crumble topping, all drizzled with a smooth homemade caramel sauce. Each layer complements the next, creating a dessert that’s bursting with comforting fall flavors and a delightful mix of textures.

Why You’ll Love This: This recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart with its carefully cooked apples and the indulgent caramel. The crumble adds a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft baked apples and the dense, cookie-like crust. These bars are a wonderful way to enjoy the essence of apple pie in a more convenient and equally delicious form.

Perfect Occasion: Ideal for autumn gatherings, holiday celebrations, or as a special treat during the apple picking season. They’re great for potlucks, family desserts, or as a sweet snack with a cup of coffee or tea. Their layered presentation and the inclusion of homemade caramel also make them a fantastic gift for friends and loved ones.

Decoration Tips: Before serving, dust the bars with powdered sugar for a touch of elegance. You might also consider adding a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to each serving for an extra layer of luxury. A few sprinkles of cinnamon or nutmeg can also enhance the fall vibe of the dessert.

Ingredients:

• For the Apple Filling:
  • 4 cups (16 oz or 454g) chopped, peeled fresh baking apples
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch fine sea salt
• For the Crumble Topping:
  • 1 cup (4 1/2 oz or 128g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup (2 3/8 oz or 67g) packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons (1 3/8 oz or 38g) sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea side
  • 6 tablespoons (3 oz or 85g) cold, unsalted butter, cubed
• For the Caramel Sauce:
  • 20 caramel candies (e.g., Werther’s soft caramels)
  • 1/4 cup (2 oz or 59ml) heavy cream
• For the Crust:
  • 1 1/2 cups (6 3/4 oz or 191g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/2 oz or 43g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 3/4 cup (6 oz or 170g) unsalted butter, softened

1. Prepare the Apple Filling:
   • Toss chopped apples with lemon juice. Cook with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a skillet until tender. Set aside to cool.
2. Make the Crumble Topping:
   • Whisk flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Incorporate cold butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Chill.
3. Create the Caramel Sauce:
   • Melt caramel candies with heavy cream until smooth.
4. Bake the Crust:
   • Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line a pan with parchment. Mix flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt. Blend in butter until dough forms. Press into the pan and bake until golden.
5. Assemble and Bake:
   • Layer baked crust with apples, drizzle caramel, sprinkle crumble topping. Bake until golden and bubbly.
6. Serve:
   • Cool completely, then sprinkle with additional powdered sugar.

Enjoy these divine Apple Crumble Bars, a treat that perfectly encapsulates the warmth and flavor of fall in each bite!