Description
A cozy fall dessert featuring a buttery oat crust, spiced apple filling, and rich homemade salted caramel. These bars are perfect for holidays, potlucks, or a comforting treat any time.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled and finely diced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for caramel)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (for caramel)
1/4 cup heavy cream, room temperature (for caramel)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (for caramel)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy lifting.
- In a large bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Stir in flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until a crumbly mixture forms.
- Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, toss diced apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly coated.
- Spread the apple filling evenly over the baked crust.
- Make the caramel: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar, stirring constantly until it turns amber.
- Add butter and stir until melted, then slowly pour in the heavy cream (it will bubble), and stir until smooth. Add sea salt and mix well. Let cool slightly.
- Drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the apples.
- Sprinkle remaining oat crumble over the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until topping is golden brown and apples are tender.
- Let cool completely. Drizzle remaining caramel on top before cutting into squares.
Notes
Use tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet-tart Honeycrisp for best texture.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheat individual bars in the microwave for 15–20 seconds to enjoy warm.
To freeze, wrap bars individually and store in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature or microwave briefly.
Swap apples for pears for a different fall variation.
Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the crumble for extra crunch.
Use store-bought caramel in a pinch, but homemade tastes best.
Use gluten-free oats and flour for a gluten-free version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
