Name: Salted Caramel Apple Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups butter, softened; 1 cup white sugar; 1 and ½ cups powdered sugar; 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract; 4 cups flour; 2 medium apples, chopped (Granny Smith preferred); 1 14 ounce bag caramels, unwrapped (or 11 oz unwrapped Caramel Bits); ⅓ cup whipping cream; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt (adjust as desired)

If you love the perfect blend of sweet and salty with a little fruity crunch, you are going to flip for this Salted Caramel Apple Bars Recipe. I absolutely love how the fudgy caramel mingles with tart apples and a buttery crust — it’s like a cozy hug after a long day. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these bars hit all the right notes without any fuss. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through how to get these dreamy bars just right every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Perfect Flavor Combo: Sweet caramel, tart apples, and a hint of sea salt create irresistible layers of flavor.
Simple and Straightforward: This recipe uses everyday ingredients and an easy process even beginners can master.
Great for Sharing: These bars slice neatly and serve perfectly for parties or afternoon snacks.
Customizable and Versatile: You can easily adjust the toppings or apples to make it your own little masterpiece.

The image shows several square pieces of crumbly apple dessert bars on a white marbled surface. Each piece has two layers: the bottom layer is soft and light golden brown, while the top layer is uneven with large crumbly chunks in a pale yellow color mixed with caramel-like golden brown swirls. Around the dessert bars, there are two whole green apples with smooth bright green skins. The lighting highlights the crumbly texture and caramel swirls on the bars. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Salted Caramel Apple Bars, salted caramel apple bars, apple bars with caramel, easy caramel apple dessert, fruity caramel bars

Ingredients You’ll Need

Choosing the right ingredients matters a lot here because the balance of buttery dough, tender apples, and creamy caramel is what makes this Salted Caramel Apple Bars Recipe so special. Fresh, tart apples and good-quality caramels really boost the flavors.

Flat lay of a stick of pale yellow butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with white granulated sugar, another small white bowl with fine white powdered sugar, a fresh vanilla bean pod, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, two bright green Granny Smith apples chopped into chunks, a small white bowl with creamy beige caramel pieces, a small white bowl holding smooth whipping cream, and a small white bowl containing coarse sea salt crystals, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Salted Caramel Apple Bars, salted caramel apple bars, apple bars with caramel, easy caramel apple dessert, fruity caramel bars

Butter: Use softened unsalted butter for a tender, rich crust without added salt confusion.
White sugar: Adds classic sweetness and helps with browning the crust.
Powdered sugar: Keeps the dough smooth and delicate with a slight melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth, don’t skip it!
All-purpose flour: The base that gives the bars structure without being tough.
Apples (Granny Smith recommended): Tart and firm apples hold up perfectly under the caramel.
Caramels (or caramel bits): Melts smoothly to create that luscious caramel layer everyone swoons over.
Whipping cream: Keeps the caramel soft and pourable, giving it that perfect consistency.
Coarse sea salt: The final touch that balances the sweetness beautifully.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’ve played around with this Salted Caramel Apple Bars Recipe quite a bit, and it’s fun to switch it up depending on the season or your cravings. Don’t be shy to get creative—small swaps can make a big difference!

Adding Nuts: I love tossing in chopped pecans or walnuts in the caramel layer for extra crunch and nuttiness.
Different Apples: Tried Fuji and Honeycrisp once—not as tart, but sweeter, which balances well with less sea salt.
Vegan Adaptation: Use dairy-free butter and caramel substitutes, and coconut cream instead of whipping cream—still delicious!
Spiced Caramel: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the caramel adds a cozy fall vibe that my family adores.

How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

To get started, preheat your oven to 325°F and line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper or foil — I prefer parchment because it makes lifting the bars out much easier. Lightly spritz it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Make the Buttery Dough

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, and powdered sugar until it’s smooth and fluffy. Add the vanilla and beat a little more until everything’s combined. Then, slowly mix in the flour just until a soft dough forms. It’s okay if it feels a little sticky—that means it’ll be tender once baked.

Step 3: Bake the Bottom Crust

Press about half of this dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Pack it down gently with your fingers or the bottom of a glass. Pop this crust in the fridge as you bake it for 15 minutes. This step gives you that firm base to hold all the yummy topping layers.

Step 4: Make the Caramel Apple Filling

While the crust is baking, melt your caramels with the whipping cream and half a teaspoon of vanilla in the microwave for about 1 minute. Stir it until silky smooth. Then fold in your chopped apples—Granny Smith apples work best here because their tartness keeps the bars from getting too sweet.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake the Final Bars

When the crust is done, pull the pan from the oven and pour that luscious caramel-apple mixture over it. Sprinkle the coarse sea salt lightly over the top—I usually use less than the full 1 tablespoon because I want just a hint of salt without overpowering the sweetness. Now crumble the remaining dough over the caramel layer and bake for another 25–30 minutes until the filling bubbles and the topping is firm and golden.

Step 6: Let Them Cool Completely

This is a crucial step! These bars need to cool completely to set up properly so they cut nicely without falling apart. Patience here equals perfectly sliced bars.

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Pro Tips for Making Salted Caramel Apple Bars Recipe

Keep the Dough Chilled: I learned the hard way that warm dough gets messy—chilling half while baking the crust makes spreading the crumble topping so much easier.
Don’t Skip the Sea Salt: That sprinkle on top really brightens the whole bar and balances the sweetness—it’s magic.
Use Tart Apples: They hold their shape and cut through the caramel’s richness, giving you that beautiful contrast.
Watch Your Bake Time: Overbaking dries out the bars; when the top is golden and the filling is bubbly, it’s time to pull it out.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Apple Bars Recipe

The image shows three square pieces of crumb cake stacked on a white marbled surface. Each piece has three layers: the bottom and top layers are a light golden crumbly crust with a rough texture, and the middle layer is a smooth, pale apple filling with small visible apple chunks. The crumb topping looks soft and crumbly with tiny bits scattered around on the surface. In the background, there are two green apples placed next to the stack, slightly out of focus. The overall color palette is warm and inviting, with shades of beige, light brown, and green. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Salted Caramel Apple Bars, salted caramel apple bars, apple bars with caramel, easy caramel apple dessert, fruity caramel bars

Garnishes

I usually dust a tiny bit of powdered sugar just before serving for a pretty touch. Sometimes, I drizzle a little extra warmed caramel sauce on top for a decadent crowd-pleaser—or add a pinch of flaky sea salt for that gourmet vibe.

Side Dishes

These bars pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to mellow the salted caramel’s richness. For a cozy treat, serve some strong coffee or hot apple cider alongside—they complete the autumnal feeling perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to cut these bars into bite-sized squares and serve them on a festive platter topped with tiny apple slices or candied pecans. They also look gorgeous wrapped individually in parchment and tied with twine if you’re gifting them.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, the fridge is fine too—it helps keep the caramel firm but might make the crust a little denser.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the bars before with good success—just wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and they keep well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature. The texture holds up surprisingly well!

Reheating

To warm them up, pop individual bars in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or bake the whole pan at 300°F for 10 minutes. This revives their gooey, soft texture without drying them out.

FAQs

Can I make the Salted Caramel Apple Bars Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just be sure to pick one that’s designed for baking to get the right texture—a blend with xanthan gum usually works well.
What type of apples work best for this recipe?

I recommend Granny Smith apples—they’re tart and firm, which holds up well without turning mushy under the caramel. However, Fuji or Honeycrisp can work if you prefer a sweeter bar.
Can I use homemade caramel instead of store-bought?

You definitely can! Homemade caramel adds a personal touch, but make sure it’s soft and pourable so it spreads easily over the crust. If it’s too thick, warm it gently with the cream before adding the apples.
How do I prevent the bars from becoming too salty?

Use the coarse sea salt sparingly—lightly sprinkle instead of dumping it on. You want just a hint of salt that enhances the caramel and apples without overpowering them. Less is definitely more!
Can I make these bars ahead of time for a party?

Yes! Make them a day in advance, store covered at room temperature, and they’ll be even better as the flavors meld. Just remember to cut them after they’re fully cooled for clean slices.

Final Thoughts

This Salted Caramel Apple Bars Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen whenever I want something that feels both indulgent and homey. I love how accessible the ingredients are and how straightforward the process is—no complicated steps, just pure deliciousness. Trust me, once you try these bars, they’ll be a staple at your gatherings and a favorite treat to come home to. Go ahead, bake a batch and get ready to hear everyone begging for seconds!