A buttery shortbread crust layered with spiced apples, crumbly streusel, and drizzled with salted caramel. A decadent fall dessert in easy bar form.

Scale

Crust:

1 cup butter

½ cup sugar

2 cups flour

¼ teaspoon salt

Apple Filling:

4 cups diced apples

2 tablespoons butter

½ cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon cloves

1 tablespoon flour

Streusel:

1 cup oats

½ cup flour

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup cold butter

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Finish:

½ cup salted caramel sauce

Flaky sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare crust and bake 15 minutes.

2. Cook apples with butter, sugar, and spices until tender. Stir in flour.

3. Make streusel by combining oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and butter.

4. Layer apples over crust, top with streusel.

5. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden.

6. Drizzle caramel and sprinkle sea salt. Cool completely before slicing.

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balance.

Allow to cool fully for neat slices.

Freeze without caramel drizzle for long-term storage.

Keywords: salted caramel apple bars, apple dessert bars, fall baking recipes, caramel apple crumble bars, easy apple bars