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Cozy Caramel Apple Pie Bars

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These Cozy Caramel Apple Pie Bars combine a buttery, crumbly crust with a tender cinnamon-spiced apple filling and a luscious homemade caramel drizzle, perfect for tailgate desserts that are portable and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup (65 g) brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup (170 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup (57 g) unsalted butter (for caramel)
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar (packed, for caramel)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream (can substitute coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for caramel)
  • Pinch of salt (for caramel)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  2. Add 3/4 cup cold cubed unsalted butter. Using a pastry blender or fork, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces (about 3-5 minutes).
  3. Set aside 1 1/2 cups (about 225 g) of the crumb mixture for the topping.
  4. Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch pan to form an even, compact crust. Smooth it out evenly using the bottom of a measuring cup.
  5. Bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes or until just golden.
  6. While the crust bakes, toss the peeled and thinly sliced apples with 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
  7. In a separate bowl, mix 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples and toss until evenly coated.
  8. Remove the crust from the oven and immediately spread the apple filling evenly over it.
  9. Crumble the reserved topping evenly over the apples to cover as much as possible.
  10. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes at 350°F (175°C), until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  11. While the bars bake, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  12. Stir in 1/2 cup brown sugar and cook for about 2 minutes until bubbling.
  13. Slowly whisk in 1/4 cup heavy cream and continue stirring until smooth and thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  14. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
  15. Once the bars have cooled slightly (about 20 minutes), drizzle the warm caramel sauce evenly over the top.
  16. Let the bars set for another 10 minutes before slicing into squares.

Notes

Use cold butter for a crumbly crust and avoid overworking it. Thin, even apple slices cook more consistently. Lemon juice prevents browning and brightens the filling. Warm caramel sauce gently before drizzling if it thickens. Let bars cool before cutting to prevent falling apart. Bars taste better the next day but crust may soften. For gluten-free, substitute flour with almond or oat flour. For vegan, use coconut oil and coconut milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple pie bars, apple dessert, tailgate dessert, caramel drizzle, easy apple bars, fall dessert, homemade caramel, apple pie bars

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/cozy-caramel-apple-pie-bars-recipe-easy-tailgate-dessert-idea/