Caramel Apple Bars

An easy spin on a classic! Made with a shortbread crust and homemade filling, these Caramel Apple Bars are just as delicious as apple pie, but much simpler to make. Top them with vanilla ice cream, and they will quickly become your favorite Fall dessert!

Caramel apples are a perfect fall treat!  They make you think of state fairs and pumpkin patches.  Or maybe of hayrides and sweaters.  And sometimes even weddings!

They make me think of weddings because these sweet little goodies are what I’m bringing today to celebrate a wedding!!  My lovely friend Becca from It’s Yummi is getting MARRIED!!!!!!  This week!!!  So a group of Becca’s blogging friends have gotten together & we want to make sure Becca’s last few days as a single gal are a blast, so we’re throwing her a Fall Themed Virtual Wedding Shower to go along with her Fall Themed Wedding!

Join us in wishing Becca a long & happy marriage!!  And before you check out the recipe for these Caramel Apple Shortbread Bars, check out the rest of the goodies at the shower!

For more Caramel Apple Recipes, try these:

• Apple Cider Caramel Corn
• Apple Pie Dip
• Apple Pie Stuffed Cinnamon Sugar Waffles
• Caramel Apple Cookies
• Caramel Apple Sticky Bun Ring

Recommended Equipment:

• Baking Pan
• Stand Mixer
• Sauce Pan

Caramel Apple Shortbread Bars

Now you can have those traditional Fall flavors that you love all year round!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Cooling Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 bars

Ingredients

  

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Ingredients for Shortbread Layer:

• 2 sticks butter at room temperature
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 & ½ cups flour

Ingredients for Caramel Apple filling:

• 4 tablespoons butter softened
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 can 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup diced apples

Instructions

 

For the Shortbread:

• Grease an 8x8 pan with cooking spray, then line the pan with aluminum foil allowing foil to hang over the edges and grease again.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the 2 sticks of butter, sugar and salt on medium speed until soft and light, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.
• With the mixer on low, add 2 & ¼ cups of the flour, beating just until the dough is smooth and the flour has been absorbed, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary.
• Transfer ½ of the dough into the prepared baking pan. Press the dough evenly into the pan to form the bottom layer. Put the pan in the refrigerator while you make the filling and top layer.
• Add the remaining ¼ cup of flour to the remaining dough in the mixer bowl and work it in with your hands until crumbs form. Set aside.

For the Caramel Apple Filling:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, condensed milk, and vanilla. Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally. When the mixture begins to boil, add in the diced apples and whisk frequently until it begins to thicken and darkens in color slightly, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool while you preheat your oven.

To Assemble:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the pan from the refrigerator and pour the caramel apple filling over the bottom crust. Use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the filling.
• Bake for about 1 hour, or until the filling is gently bubbling and a dark caramel color. If your edges start to get too dark, cover with foil while you continue baking. Cool the bars in the pan about 15-20 minutes. Use the foil to lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
• Once completely cool, cut into bars.

Keyword Apple, Caramel, Pie

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