This Caramel Apple Bars recipe includes layers of apple slices, walnuts, and caramel sauce in a delightful oatmeal crumble crust. These fruit bars are so yummy!

 I originally shared this in Oct. 2014 but of course these Caramel Apple Bars are still my go-to apple recipe and always a hit! I just decided it was time to update the photos and I made a video so I thought I’d share it again in case you missed it.This post may contain affiliate links to products I use and love for your convenience. This week my Caramel Apple Bars dessert is extra special because my mom and I got to bake it together while they were visiting. It was a wonderful weekend filled with girl shopping and laughing over family memories. Oh, and this dessert bar is spectacular! Layers of thin apple slices, tart cranberries (optional), walnuts, and caramel sauce sandwiched between a delightful oatmeal crumb crust. Vanilla ice cream would be about the best thing to serve with this baby but it really isn’t necessary. I sliced off pieces and ate them hand-to-mouth style but a few crumbs did hit the floor. However, it definitely has more form than your traditional apple crisp. You choose and let me know!

I have made this dessert several times now, especially in the fall when there is an abundance of apples in season, but really Granny Smith apples are always good at any time of year. To achieve it, I basically modified some apple and oats bar recipe my mom had. I lessened the butter and the sugar by a lot (healthier, whoohoo!), added the cranberries for some zing, added walnuts, and changed about half the steps that utterly would cause a novice to fail. So yeah, I pretty much gave it the million dollar makeover.

Caramel Apple Bars Recipe Notes

I love to serve it with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce but neither are an absolute must. The ice cream just ups the dessert factor a notch and these bars actually have plenty of caramel sauce already on the inside.  These actually make great breakfast bars too for those busy-gotta-go mornings.

Fruit Notes – Granny Smith are generally considered to be the best for baking, but mostly any apple will do. Also, I am a personal fan of the combination of apples and cranberries, but the cranberries are totally optional and you probably wouldn’t miss them if they weren’t there.

There are a few ways to make the caramel sauce in a pinch. My personal preference is to use these caramel bits, but you can substitute 32 caramel squares like these. Using real caramel to make the sauce from scratch has a more rich, buttery style caramel flavor. This is the recipe as printed below. However, you can also use store-bought caramel sauce. If using the squeeze bottle variety (like this one), I recommend thickening it up with of flour. In a small saucepan, combine 1.5 cups caramel topping and 1/2 cup flour with a whisk. Bring to a slight boil, stirring constantly and boil 1-3 minutes.

LOOKING FOR MORE DELICIOUS CAKE AND CUPCAKES? CHECK THESE OUT:

• Cream Cheese Frosting
• 20 of the Best Homemade Cupcake Recipes
• Bailey’s White Chocolate Cake
• Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting

This is what fall weekend are all about! Walks through the autumn trees – where you’re all bundled up cozy, warm apple cider and hot cocoa, pumpkin patch shopping and carving, and this apple crisp. Every year. It’s a must!