CARAMEL APPLE PIE BARS

Caramel Apple Pie Bars – A shortbread crust topped with cinnamon spiced apples, struesel and the drizzled with caramel. A perfect fall dessert.

Fall is the perfect time of year for baking.  The weather is starting to cool down, and there are apples galore!  We make Apple Cider Donuts every year, they are definitely a sign of fall around here. 

When I was growing up my grandma always had Apple Bars around in the fall. There is just something about the spices and everything that is so comforting.  These Apple Pie Bars are now one of my favorites, especially when you drizzle caramel on top!

Caramel and apples just go together.  These Mini Caramel Apples are a fun thing to do with the kids in the fall.  But when you are craving that flakey pie crust and warm baked apples, these apple pie bars are a must.  

These are apple pie bars have a streusel topping and they are amazing!  Plenty of caramel is drizzled over the top so that is tastes just like a caramel apple pie, just in an easier to eat, easier to share bars form. Another favorite from a kid is apple crisp, always so good.  I love to make this Instant Pot Apple Crisp now.

CARAMEL APPLE PIE BARS

A shortbread crust topped with cinnamon spiced apples, struesel and the drizzled with caramel. A perfect fall dessert.

INGREDIENTS

CRUST

• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, , cut into cubes (cold)

FILLING

• 1 pound apples, , peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 Tbls cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp all spice

TOPPING

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup oats
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup butter, , cut into cubes (cold)
• 1 tsp cinnamon

How to Make Caramelized Onions

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with foil.
2. In a bowl combine flour, powdered sugar and butter. Mix using your fingers until it comes together as a dough. Press into lined baking pan. Bake for 18 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, mix apple slices and all of the other filling ingredients together until well coasted.
4. In a bowl mix all of the ingredients for the topping together. Use your fingers to mix until almost a crumbly dough.
5. Pour apples over hot crust. Spread into an even layer. Crumble the topping evenly over the apples.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Drizzle with caramel when ready to serve.

NOTES

I like using 2 kinds of apples – gala and granny smith work great together.

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