Apple Bars
Apple pie in an easy to make bar. Serve with caramel sauce and ice cream for a decadent treat!
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time40 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple, caramel, dessert
Servings: 9 servings
Calories: 677kcal
For the topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats (80g)
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour (85g)
- ½ cup light brown sugar (112g)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted (113g or 8 tablespoons)
For the crust:
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature (226g)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (110g)
- 2 cups all purpose flour (252g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the apple filling:
- 4 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and sliced thin (about 2 lbs)
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup apple cider or water (not vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- dash nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
For serving:
- 1 cup homemade or store-bought caramel sauce
- 1 tablespoon bourbon stirred into the caramel sauce (optional)
- Vanilla ice cream
Prepare the topping
In a medium bowl combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Add the melted butter and stir until combined. Refrigerate until needed.
Prepare the crust
Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the flour, salt and vanilla and mix until a soft dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 13 to 16 minutes or until the crust is just set but not brown.
Set aside to cool while preparing the apples.
Prepare the apples
Peel, core and slice the apples and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle the juice of 1 lemon over the apples and toss to coat.
In a large skillet melt the butter and brown sugar over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cook stirring occasionally until softened. Stir in the apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg and bourbon (if using) into the apple mixture and cook another 5 minutes or until the apples are caramelized, tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Assemble the apple bars
Spread the apples evenly over the crust. Using a spoon break the topping into clumps and sprinkle over the apples. Lightly press the topping down to make an even layer. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. Cool completely then cut into 9 bars. You can also cut each square diagonally into wedges to create 18 bars.
Stir the bourbon into the caramel sauce if using. Drizzle the caramel over the bars and serve. Top with a scoop of ice cream if desired, and more caramel sauce of course!
- Store the apple bars at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate for longer storage
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
Calories: 677kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 1091IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg