Apple Crumble Bars Recipe
My apple crumble bars have a buttery oat crust, a layer of apple pie filling, and a gooey caramel topping. You get a best caramel apple dessert with very little effort.
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If I remember correctly, I found this apple bars recipe in an old family cookbook and modified it so it’s really easy to make.
To keep this recipe super simple I use canned apple pie filling and caramel squares mixed with a little heavy cream for the caramel sauce. I use the same mixture for the crust on the bottom and sprinkled over the caramel with a handful of walnuts before it goes into the oven.
These bars are buttery, gooey, and so good during the fall. My favorite parts are the chewy edges where the crust bakes up a little darker, and the way the caramel settles into the apples as the bars cool. If you haven’t tried it, add it to your fall baking list asap!
If you like apple desserts that come together without a lot of hassle, my easy apple crisp uses a similar oat topping, and crock pot cinnamon apples are good for when you want the apples without turning on the oven.
Good to Know Recipe Info
My Tips for Making Apple Crumble Bars
Give these bars time to cool completely, about an hour, before cutting into them. The caramel layer is soft, runny, and boiling lava hot right out of the oven. It needs that time to firm up.
If you want to add some flavor to the filling layer, sprinkle in some cinnamon or a pinch of ground nutmeg.
If the top starts to brown too fast before the center sets, tent the dish loosely with foil for the last several minutes. That keeps the crumb topping and caramel from burning while the center finishes baking.
How to Make Apple Crumble Bars
- Combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the butter with two forks or a pastry cutter until the mixture is fully combined and in clumps. A food processor works too, and it’s faster than doing it by hand. Set aside 1 ½ cups of the crumb mixture for later. Press the rest firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish in an even layer.
- Spread the apple pie filling evenly over the crust. Combine the caramel squares and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and glossy, then pour it evenly over the apple filling.
- Stir the walnuts into the reserved crumb mixture and sprinkle it over the caramel layer. Bake until the top is golden brown and the center is set, then let the bars cool completely, at least an hour, before slicing.
How to Video
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup quick oats
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 21 ounces apple pie filling, 1 can
- 20 caramel squares, unwrapped
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1 can
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the butter, and use two forks or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly.1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour1 cup quick oats½ cup light brown sugar½ teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter
- Set aside 1 ½ cups of the mixture, and press the remaining into the bottom of the baking dish in an even layer. Spoon the apple pie filling over the crust and spread into an even layer. Set aside.21 ounces apple pie filling
- In a medium saucepan, combine the caramel squares and sweetened condensed milk over low heat. Stir constantly for about 5 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Carefully pour the caramel over the apple pie filling.20 caramel squares14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- Add the chopped walnuts to the remaining crumb mixture and sprinkle it over the top of the caramel sauce.1 cup walnuts
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the bars are golden brown on top and the center is set. Allow them to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 apple crumble bar. Actual calories will vary.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container, in your fridge, for up to 3 days.