If you’re looking for a delicious fall dessert, these Apple Crisp Bars are easy to make from scratch. Starting with a buttery shortbread crust, these bars are layered with cinnamon-spiced apples and a crisp oatmeal streusel. Finished with a drizzle of homemade salted maple caramel, this recipe combines classic fall flavors in every bite.
These apple crisp bars take all the delicious elements of a classic apple crisp and transform them into easy-to-serve bars. Like apple crisp, they have tender, cinnamon-spiced apples, and a sweet, buttery oatmeal topping.
The difference is in the form—stacked on a shortbread crust, these bars are perfect for slicing and serving at gatherings. You get all the cozy flavors of apple crisp in a more convenient, handheld dessert.
What Makes These Bars Special?
These apple crisp bars are more than just your typical apple dessert.
- Shortbread Crust: A buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread base that adds a sturdy foundation to these bars.
- Apple Filling: Fresh apple slices, spiced with cinnamon and simmered in butter, create a warm and comforting filling.
- Oatmeal Streusel Topping: A crisp topping made from oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter, adding the perfect crunch to every bite.
- Salted Maple Caramel: This homemade caramel sauce is made with real maple syrup. It adds a rich, sweet, slightly salty finish that combines all the flavors.
Ingredients for Salted Maple Caramel Apple Crisp Bars
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious fall dessert bars:
- Flour: Used in the shortbread crust and oatmeal streusel topping.
- Brown Sugar: Used in the shortbread crust, apple filling, and oatmeal streusel topping.
- Cinnamon: Used in the shortbread crust, apple filling, and oatmeal streusel topping.
- Salt: Used in the shortbread crust and salted maple caramel sauce.
- Baking Powder: Used in the shortbread crust.
- Butter: Used in the shortbread crust, apple filling, oatmeal streusel topping, and salted maple caramel sauce.
- 6-8 Medium Apples (Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, or Honey Crisp): Used in the apple filling.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Used in the oatmeal streusel topping.
- Maple Syrup: Used in the salted maple caramel sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Used in the salted maple caramel sauce.
- Vanilla Extract: Used in the salted maple caramel sauce.
Special Tools (affiliate links): Stoneware Bar Pan | Mixing Bowls | Apple Peeler
How to Make Apple Crisp Bars
Follow these simple steps to create these delicious fall dessert bars:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Make the Shortbread Crust: In a large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Add softened butter and mix until crumbly. Press into the pan and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool slightly.
3. Prepare the Apple Filling: Peel and dice the apples while the crust bakes. Cook apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter in a saucepan over medium heat for about 10 minutes until slightly softened. Spread the apple mixture over the cooled crust, using a slotted spoon to drain excess liquid.
4. Make the Oatmeal Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until the mixture forms crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the apple filling.
5. Bake the Bars: Bake the apple crisp bars at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown.
6. Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, boil the maple syrup over medium heat. Simmer until it reaches 230°F (110°C) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream. Return to heat, boil, add the butter, and stir until melted. Remove from heat and mix in the sea salt and vanilla extract.
7. Chill and Drizzle: After the bars cool, refrigerate them for at least 2 hours to set. Drizzle the salted maple caramel sauce on top, slice into squares and serve.
Recipe FAQ: Apple Crisp Bars
What are the best apples for apple crisp bars? Choose firm and tart apples. Good options include Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
How should I store apple crisp bars? Apple crisp bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, they can be kept in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh for about a week.
Can you freeze apple crisp bars? Yes, you can freeze apple crisp bars. To freeze individually, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature or reheat in the oven.
More Apple Recipes
Easy Salted Caramel Maple Apple Pie Bars
Easy salted maple caramel apple crisp bars are the perfect fall dessert. Layered in a 9×13 pan, this shortbread crust, fresh apples and oatmeal crumble topped with homemade salted maple caramel will have you delighting in the taste of Autumn.
Ingredients
Shortbread Layer
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup butter, softened
Apple Filling
- 6-8 apples, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter
Oatmeal Streusel Topping
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 cup oats
- 1/2 cup butter, cold cut into small slices
Salted Caramel Maple Sauce
- 1 cup real maple syrup
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup cream
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Add softened butter and mix until crumbly. Press into the pan and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
- Peel and dice the apples while the crust bakes. Cook apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter in a saucepan over medium heat for about 10 minutes until slightly softened. Spread the apple mixture over the cooled crust, using a slotted spoon to drain excess liquid.
- In a medium bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until the mixture forms crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the apple filling.
- Bake the apple crisp bars at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown.
- In a medium saucepan, boil the maple syrup over medium heat. Simmer until it reaches 230°F (110°C) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream. Return to heat, boil, add the butter, and stir until melted. Remove from heat and mix in the sea salt and vanilla extract.
- After the bars cool, refrigerate them for at least 2 hours to set. Drizzle the salted maple caramel sauce on top, slice into squares and serve.