Caramel Apple Crumble Bars
These Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are the perfect fall treat! A crunchy oat crumble crust with cinnamon-spiced apples and luscious caramel make every bite irresistible.
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter cubed
- 2 large apples peeled and diced
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Crumble Base
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir everything together until evenly mixed. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to incorporate it until the mixture becomes crumbly and the butter is evenly distributed in small pieces.
Step 2: Press the Base Into the Pan
- Reserve about 1 1/2 cups of the crumble mixture for the topping, then firmly press the remaining crumble evenly into the bottom of the greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Make sure to create a solid, even layer as this will form the base of your bars. Bake this base for about 10-12 minutes or until it’s just beginning to turn golden.
Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling
- While the base bakes, peel and dice your apples into small, bite-sized pieces. In a mixing bowl, toss the diced apples with the ground cinnamon, coating them well. This cinnamon-spiced apple filling is what makes these bars truly shine.
Step 4: Assemble the Bars
- Once the base is slightly crisped, remove it from the oven. Evenly spread the cinnamon apples over the warm base. Drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the apples, letting it seep into the fruit. Finally, crumble the reserved oat mixture over the top to create a crunchy, textured topping.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
- Return the assembled bars to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. The caramel will bubble slightly around the edges, signaling that your bars are perfectly baked.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
- Allow the bars to cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing. This helps the caramel set and ensures clean, neat bars when cutting. Slice into squares or rectangles and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of extra caramel sauce if desired.
Equipment
- 9x13-inch Baking Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Pastry cutter or fork
- Peeler and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
Notes
- These bars can be baked a day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, refrigerate the bars for up to a week and warm slightly before serving for best texture.
- Freeze individual bars wrapped tightly for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.