Go Back
–+ servings
Ultra close-up macro of salted caramel apple pie bar showing shortbread crust, spiced apple layer, oat streusel, and dripping caramel

Flaky Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars (Shortbread Crust)

Melt-in-your-mouth buttery shortbread crust topped with cinnamon spiced apples, oat streusel, and warm sea salt caramel drizzle. The ultimate holiday dessert bar!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 16 bars (approx. 1 9x13 pan)
Calories: 265
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (divided)
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled, divided)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt (divided)
  • 4 large apples Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, sliced 1/8-inch thin)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (divided)
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/2 cup thick salted caramel sauce (warmed)
  • 1/2 tsp flaky Maldon sea salt (for finishing)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the sides for easy removal.
  2. Make Shortbread Crust: In a bowl, stir together 2 cups flour, powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 3/4 cup melted butter until a crumbly dough forms. Press evenly into bottom of prepared pan.
  3. Par-bake crust at 350°F for 15 minutes until lightly golden and set. Remove and let cool slightly.
  4. Make Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss thinly sliced apples with granulated sugar, cornstarch, 1 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until evenly coated.
  5. Make Streusel Topping: In a separate bowl, combine rolled oats, brown sugar, remaining 1/2 cup flour, remaining 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and remaining 1/4 cup melted butter using a fork until clumpy crumbs form.
  6. Layer apples evenly over warm par-baked crust. Scatter oat streusel generously over top.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until streusel is golden-brown and apple filling is bubbling at the edges.
  8. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour, then chill in refrigerator for 2 hours for clean slicing.
  9. Lift bars out using parchment overhang, drizzle with warm salted caramel sauce, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, cut into 16 bars, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 380IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1.2mg

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!