Save Soft, chewy bars layered with tender apples, buttery shortbread, and rich caramel—a decadent autumn treat perfect for dessert or snacking.
I first served this...
Ingredients
- For the Shortbread Base: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp salt
- For the Apple Filling: 2 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp lemon juice
- For the Caramel Layer: 1 cup (240 g) soft caramel candies, unwrapped, 2 tbsp heavy cream
- For the Crumble Topping: 3/4 cup (95 g) all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup (70 g) packed light brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed, Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2:
- Prepare the shortbread base: In a bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in flour and salt until a crumbly dough forms. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 12 minutes, then set aside.
- Step 3:
- Prepare the apple filling: In a medium bowl, toss diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
- Step 4:
- Make the caramel layer: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine caramel candies and heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth and pourable.
- Step 5:
- Layer the apple filling evenly over the baked shortbread. Drizzle warm caramel over the apples.
- Step 6:
- For the crumble topping: Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, cold butter, and salt. Use your fingers or a pastry blender to create coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the caramel and apples.
- Step 7:
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling gently. Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
Save Notes
For extra crunch, add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat. Substitute pears for apples for a different twist.
Required Tools
9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan, Mixing bowls, Electric mixer or whisk, Microwave-safe bowl, Spatula, Parchment paper
Nutritional Information
Calories: 265, Total Fat: 13 g, Carbohydrates: 37 g, Protein: 2 g
Save Recipe Q&A
- → What types of apples work best?
Firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape well and offer a nice tartness to balance the caramel.
- → Can I add nuts to the topping?
Yes, chopped pecans or walnuts can be mixed into the crumble topping for extra crunch and flavor.
- → How do I ensure a gooey caramel layer?
Microwave caramel candies with heavy cream in short bursts, stirring until smooth and pourable to achieve a luscious, gooey texture.
- → Is it better to serve these bars warm or cold?
Serving warm enhances the gooey caramel and soft apple filling, though they also taste great once cooled and set.
- → Can pears be used instead of apples?
Yes, pears create a softer filling with a subtle sweetness, offering a pleasant alternative to apples.