Caramel Apple Crumb Bars (Print Version)

Tender shortbread layered with caramel apples and buttery crumb topping

# What You Need:

01 -

02 -

03 -

04 -

05 -

06 -

07 -

08 -

09 -

10 -

11 -

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.

02 - Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until crumbly. Stir in vanilla extract.

03 - Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the mixture for topping. Press remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

04 - Bake crust for 12 minutes, then remove from oven.

05 - Toss apple slices with lemon juice. Add sugar, flour, and cinnamon, mixing to coat evenly.

06 - Spread apple mixture over the hot crust. Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over the apples.

07 - Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the top.

08 - Bake for 28-32 minutes until topping is light golden brown and apples are tender.

09 - Cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment paper and cut into 16 bars.

01 -

The combination of tender shortbread, spiced apples, and buttery crumbs creates layers of texture in every single bite
These bars strike that perfect balance between fancy enough for company and casual enough for a Tuesday night treat
They actually taste better the next day, making them ideal for make ahead dessert planning

02 -

Warm or room temperature butter will make your crust tough instead of tender so keep it cold until you are ready to use it
Letting the bars cool completely before cutting is essential or they will fall apart and you will end up with a delicious but messy situation

03 -

Use a ruler to measure your pan and ensure it is actually 9x9 inches because smaller pans will make the bars too thick and larger pans will make them too thin
If your apples are especially juicy, add an extra teaspoon of flour to the apple mixture to prevent a soggy bottom