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!
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 ½ cup flour with a whisk. Bring to a slight boil, stirring constantly and boil 1-3 minutes.
Frequently asked questions:
If all you have available is quick oats, that’s perfectly fine. I prefer the rolled oats because they have a more rustic, hearty chew to them that works great with the fruit. If you choose to go with quick oats instead, it will form a dough-like consistency with a more uniform texture.
If apples aren’t quite your thing, you can definitely swap them out for a different type if fruit. If you’re going for a similar consistency, I might try pears or even peaches. You could also try it with strawberries or a mixture of berries if you prefer.
You sure can! I love the tart flavor of cranberries, but you can omit them if that’s not your thing. You can also substitute them for a different dried fruit like chopped dates or raisins.
LOOKING FOR MORE DELICIOUS CAKE AND CUPCAKES? CHECK THESE OUT:
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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!
Caramel Apple Crisp Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Butter melted
- 2 apples peeled, cored and sliced thin
- ½ cup walnuts
- ½ cup cranberries
- 1 ½ cups caramel bits
- ⅓ cup Whipping Cream
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13in baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in melted butter and mix until evenly crumbly and wet.
- Set aside 1 ½ cups of the crumble mixture. Press the rest into the bottom of your baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Spread apple slices over the baked crust. Sprinkle cranberries and nuts.
- In a small saucepan over low-medium heat. The caramel will thicken as it cools. Pour over the dish while still warm.
- Crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture evenly of the top. Press just slightly into the caramel sauce. Bake about 25 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.
Notes
Nutrition
Not Sure
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Audrey says
I will be featuring this tomorrow on Tasty Tuesdays Linkup
Rachel says
Thanks so much, Audrey! Will definitely be checking out the other tasty treats.
Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods says
Mmm. This would be the perfect recipe for our Oktoberfest this weekend!
I would love for you to share this project at my Show Me Saturday party this weekend! We go live each Saturday morning at 7:00am EST. My readers would love it!
~ Ashley
Psst… I am also hosting Our Favorite Things Pinterest Party right now! Join me and show off your awesomeness!
Kim @ The Cookie Puzzle says
I am a firm believer that cranberries make everything better. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Party in Your PJs.
RebeCca says
This is something I wouldn’t think to make but would love to sample. All these desserts are making me hungry! And I think vanilla ice cream is always necessary lol
Audrey says
Apple and cranberries and walnuts just scream Fall to me. These look so delicious.
Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays.
Leslie says
I’d love a piece of that with some vanilla ice cream on the side. Oh man! Thanks for sharing!