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Home » Recipes » Desserts

Caramel Apple Shortbread Bars

Published: Dec 7, 2019 · Modified: Jan 17, 2024 by Tristin Rieken · 3 Comments

Caramel Apple Shortbread Bars with shortbread crust, caramel apple pie filling and mile high shortbread crumble topping are a show stopping handheld dessert!

Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a complete showstopper handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping. apple slice sheet pan recipe | salted caramel apple pie bars dessert
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Jump to:
  • Shortbread caramel apple bar recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step by step instructions
  • Can apple bars be frozen?
  • How to store
  • 📖 Recipe

Shortbread caramel apple bar recipe

Sheet Pan Caramel Apple Bars are like a mix of apple pie bars, caramel apples, shortbread cookies and candy bars.

Baked in a large pan this is an addictingly chewy and buttery apple bar recipe for a crowd that is loved by everyone! Make up a batch for bake sales, holiday gifting and cookie swaps or make just to keep slices on hand for yourself throughout the week.

Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a complete showstopper handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping. apple slice sheet pan recipe | salted caramel apple pie bars dessert

Apple bars with layers of flaky, buttery, chewy deliciousness just bursting with fresh apple flavor.

Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a complete showstopper handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping. apple slice sheet pan recipe | salted caramel apple pie bars dessert

Loosely based on this NY Times Apple Bars recipe this version skips the hassle of par cooking the apples in favor of fresh apple flavor. And these apples bars are coated in a luscious layer of caramel that adds irresistible chewiness and depth of flavor.

Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a complete showstopper handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping. apple slice sheet pan recipe | salted caramel apple pie bars dessert

These apple bars hold their shape well after slicing and stay fresh for up to three days after baking. Perfect for gifting!

Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a complete showstopper handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping. apple slice sheet pan recipe | salted caramel apple pie bars dessert

Ingredients

  • Apples – large juicy but sturdy apples like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Gala or any apple you have on hand
  • Caramel – about 30 unwrapped and melted caramel candy squares or ¾ cup of your choice of caramel.
  • Butter – unsalted or substitute salted butter and reduce the amount of added salt.
  • Flour – all purpose
  • Sugar – both powdered and granulated
  • Vanilla – extract or substitute paste or powder
  • Cinnamon powder
  • Milk
  • Salt – both fine baking salt for the pastry and a little flaky salt to add crunchy bits of salt to the caramel layer (optional).
.

Step by step instructions

  1. Make a buttery shortbread dough. Press ⅓ into pan as a bottom crust and leave the remaining ⅔ crumbly to use later as the topping. ⅓ might seem scrimpy but I PROMISE it’s so worth it to save the majority of the shortbread for a generous top layer. It’s not only stunning but the large crumbles bake up slightly chewy for a delicious finished product.
Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a complete showstopper handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping. apple slice sheet pan recipe | salted caramel apple pie bars dessert
  1. Peel and dice apples then toss with cinnamon and sugar. Scatter evenly over crust and bake until starting to soften.
  1. Meanwhile melt caramel squares. Or make your own thick caramel sauce from scratch.
Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a complete showstopper handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping. apple slice sheet pan recipe | salted caramel apple pie bars dessert
  1. Pour caramel evenly over apples and shortbread pie crust.
Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a complete showstopper handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping. apple slice sheet pan recipe | salted caramel apple pie bars dessert
  1. Top with remaining shortbread crumble.
  2. Bake until golden brown.
  3. Cool then cut into squares.
Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a complete showstopper handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping. apple slice sheet pan recipe | salted caramel apple pie bars dessert
  1. Enjoy!
Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a complete showstopper handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping. apple slice sheet pan recipe | salted caramel apple pie bars dessert

Can apple bars be frozen?

There are a few different options for making apple bars ahead of time.

  • The shortbread pie crust can be refrigerated up to 3 days, either ⅓ as a dough ball and the rest crumbled. Or press the ⅓ into the bottom crust and refrigerate.
  • Alternately, the shortbread pie crust can be frozen for up to three months. Carefully place crumble on one sheet pan and press the bottom crust into another. Freeze both then wrap crust tightly with plastic wrap and transfer crumble topping to a freezer bag. Use directly from freezer.
  • Or, the caramel apple bars can be frozen after baking for up to 3 months. Simply defrost apple bars at room temperature before serving.

How to store

Caramel Apple Pie Bars keep for up to 3 days at room temperature. Or, freeze for up to 3 months, defrosting before serving.

📖 Recipe

Layered caramel apple bars with shortbread crust, caramel layer and shortbread crumble stacked next to an apple.

Shortbread Caramel Apple Bars

Shortbread Caramel Apple Bars are a handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 hours hours
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 pieces
Calories: 334kcal
Author: Tristin Rieken

Ingredients

Shortbread

  • 2 cups salted butter 4 sticks
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Caramel Apple Filling

  • 4 large apples peeled cored and diced, about 3 cups diced
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 9 ounces caramel candies 30 squares or about ¾ cup melted caramel
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325. Grease a 9 x 13 inch ¼ sheet pan or baking dish lightly with butter. Toss diced apples with cinnamon and sugar.
    4 large apples, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Then add vanilla and mix in flour. Dough will be crumbly.
    2 cups salted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 4 cups all purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt
  • Sprinkle roughly ⅓ of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan and press to flatten evenly. Cover remaining shortbread crumble with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Evenly sprinkle cinnamon apples over the bottom crust.
  • Bake apple covered crust until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat caramels over medium heat in a small saucepan with milk. Once melted remove from heat, stir in vanilla and stir until smooth.
    9 ounces caramel candies, 3 tablespoons milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • After 25 minutes of baking pour caramel sauce over crust and apples making sure to cover all the way to the edges. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and crumble remaining shortbread over the top.
    ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • Bake until golden brown, 35-40 minutes.
  • Let cool, then cut into squares and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 235mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 495IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
Made this recipe? Please share!Mention @freshflavorful or tag #FreshFlavorfulLife
Nutrition Facts
Shortbread Caramel Apple Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 334 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Cholesterol 41mg14%
Sodium 235mg10%
Potassium 84mg2%
Carbohydrates 44g15%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 26g29%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 495IU10%
Vitamin C 1.4mg2%
Calcium 26mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a complete showstopper handheld dessert with buttery shortbread crust, caramel apple filling and finished with a mile-high crumble topping. apple slice sheet pan recipe | salted caramel apple pie bars dessert

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    5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Rachel Lyon

    December 22, 2019 at 6:27 pm

    5 stars
    This was so good! I had a dinner party with a bunch of friends and this dessert was a winner! I was asked for the recipe from everyone. I will make it again.

    Reply
    • ONE armed MAMA

      December 26, 2019 at 12:33 pm

      Thanks, Rachel! I’m honored that one of my recipes made it to your dinner party 🙂 Thanks for letting me know, I’m so happy!!

      Reply
  2. Ruth

    August 14, 2023 at 5:14 pm

    I made this recipe this weekend for our after church coffee time. It was a big hit, not a piece was left from the pan. I baked it in a sheet pan and my only issue was the caramel bubbling over the rims, so I put a larger cookie sheet under it to catch the drips. I will definitely make this again. Thanks.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Tristin Rieken, Welcome to Fresh Flavorful where I hope to inspire you with simple seasonal recipes and ideas to eat deliciously, entertain easily and adventure often.

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