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Caramel Apple Crisp Bars

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These Caramel Apple Crisp Bars combine all the cozy flavors of classic apple crisp—spiced apples, gooey caramel, and a crumbly oat topping—into easy-to-serve dessert bars. Perfect for fall gatherings, potlucks, or a comforting treat any time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup thick caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand and clumps together. Reserve about 1 cup of this mixture for the crumble topping.
  3. Press the remaining mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  4. In another bowl, toss diced apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, flour, and lemon juice until evenly coated.
  5. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.
  6. Warm the caramel sauce until pourable and drizzle it over the apples. Swirl gently if desired.
  7. Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture over the caramel and apples, squeezing some into clumps for a crisp texture.
  8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and caramel is bubbling at the edges.
  9. Let the bars cool completely in the pan for at least 2 hours (or chill in the fridge) before slicing.
  10. Lift the bars out using the parchment overhang and slice into squares. Serve as-is or with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

For gluten-free bars, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and dairy-free caramel. Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble for extra crunch. Cool bars completely before slicing for clean cuts. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple crisp bars, apple dessert, fall dessert, apple bars, easy apple crisp, caramel apple bars, oat crumble, make-ahead dessert, gluten-free option, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/caramel-apple-crisp-bars-recipe-easy-fall-dessert-youll-love/