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5 from 3 votes
ice cream topped apple crumb bars on parchment paper.
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Caramel Apple Crumb Bars 
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 

These Caramel Apple Crumb Bars begin with a brown sugar oat crust, and they are filled with homemade apple pie filling. These apple pie crumb bars are rich, gooey, and full of caramel apple flavor. An easy fall dessert, but elegant enough for any Thanksgiving table.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Caramel Apple Crumb Bars
Servings: 9 -12 Bars
Author: Michelle
Ingredients
Caramel Sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
  • 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • pinch of salt (or flaky sea salt)*
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Crust
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats (rolled oats)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp all spice
Apple Filling
  • 2 1/2 cups chopped apples** (I used honeycrisp)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line an 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper (or non-stick foil), or grease with baking spray. Set aside.

Caramel Sauce

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt together. Whisk until the mixture boils, then remove from the heat and allow to cool. 

Oatmeal Crust and Topping:

  1. With a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed, until light and fluffy. 

  2. Add in the rolled oats, all purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Mix until combined. Set aside.

Apple Filling: 

  1. Mix the chopped apples, vanilla extract, cornstarch, and granulated sugar together.

  2. Next, mix the apples with the caramel sauce. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes. 

Assembly:

  1. Press about 2/3 of the oatmeal dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, pressing in an even layer. 

  2. Spoon the apple filling on top of the crust, spreading into an even layer.

  3. Sprinkle the remaining oatmeal dough on top of the apple filling (some of the apples will still be showing, which is just fine). 

  4. Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the apple filling is bubbling and the top is lightly golden brown. 

  5. Allow the apple crumble bars to cool before slicing and serving. 

  6. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and extra caramel, if desired.

Recipe Notes

*If you want to make a salted caramel sauce, add flaky sea salt to the finished caramel sauce.

**For the apple filling, you can peel the apples if you prefer. Additionally, you can use your favorite apple in place of honeycrisp.