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Cozy Salted Caramel Apple Bars with Easy Oat Crumble

cozy salted caramel apple bars - featured image
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Tender spiced apples tucked under a buttery oat crumble, all held together by a layer of gooey homemade salted caramel. These bars are the perfect balance of sweet and salty, with a crunchy topping and soft apple filling that makes every bite pure comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium apples (about 500g / 1.1 lbs), peeled, cored, and diced into ½-inch pieces
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
  • 1½ cups (135g) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup (113g / 1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar (for caramel)
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, at room temperature (for caramel)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream, at room temperature (for caramel)
  • ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt (for caramel), plus more for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two opposite sides.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with ¼ cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Set aside for at least 10 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Whisk together. Add cold cubed butter and work it into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces. You should have about 2½ cups of crumble.
  4. Press half of the oat crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Refrigerate while making the caramel.
  5. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, spread ½ cup granulated sugar in an even layer. Let it melt without stirring, swirling the pan occasionally, until deep golden (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat, add 3 tablespoons butter, and whisk until melted. Slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking constantly. Stir in ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
  6. Remove the pan from the refrigerator. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the chilled crust, including any liquid.
  7. Drizzle half of the salted caramel over the apples. Reserve the rest.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining oat crumble evenly over the apples and caramel. Do not press down.
  9. Bake on the middle rack for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If browning too quickly after 30 minutes, tent with foil.
  10. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes. Drizzle with remaining caramel and sprinkle with extra flaky sea salt. Cool completely (at least 1 hour) before lifting out and slicing into squares.

Notes

Don’t skip the cornstarch—it prevents a soggy bottom. Keep butter cold for a crumbly topping. Watch caramel closely to avoid burning. Let bars cool completely before slicing for clean squares. Bars taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple bars, salted caramel, oat crumble, fall dessert, apple dessert, easy apple bars, comfort food

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/cozy-salted-caramel-apple-bars-with-easy-oat-crumble/