Description

Decadent, buttery apple crumble bars layered with spiced apples, gooey salted caramel, and a crumbly oat topping—perfect for cozy fall gatherings or holiday treats.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

3 cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang.
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, and oats until a crumbly dough forms.
Press two-thirds of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
In a medium bowl, toss diced apples with lemon juice, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar, stirring constantly until it turns amber.
Whisk in butter, then slowly pour in cream and stir in sea salt. Cook for 1–2 minutes and remove from heat.
Drizzle the warm caramel evenly over the apples.
Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top.
Bake for 35–40 minutes until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing.

Notes

Use a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples for a balance of tartness and sweetness.

Add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger for extra spice.

To make gluten-free, use 1:1 gluten-free baking flour and certified gluten-free oats.

Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble for added crunch.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 312
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 115mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg