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Caramel Apple Bars

These delicious Caramel Apple Bars are simple to prepare using only 6 ingredients--they have all the taste and comfort of traditional apple pie but without the hassle. Baked with a buttery shortbread crust followed by an apple pie filling and topped with a caramel drizzled streusel!
Servings: 16

Adjust the serving amount to scale the ingredient list. Written quantities in the steps refer to the original recipe; adjust them in the same proportion. Timing may vary with batch size.

Prep: 20 minutes Total: 1 hour
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Ingredients
  

Shortbread Layer

  • 0.5 cup salted butter softened
  • 0.5 cup dark brown sugar lightly packed
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled

Filling and Streusel

  • 30 ounces apple pie filling 1.5 cans
  • 0.75 cup dark brown sugar lightly packed
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 6 tbsp cold salted butter cut into 1" cubes
  • 0.5 cup caramel syrup plus more for topping

Instructions
 

Preparation Steps

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
  • For the shortbread layer, use a mixer to beat the salted butter and dark brown sugar together until creamy and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Beat in the all-purpose flour until combined. You should have a crumbly dough.
  • Press into the bottom of the 9x13 inch baking pan and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
  • Remove the pan with the shortbread layer from the oven and set it aside.
  • Turn the oven up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Pour the apple pie filling onto the shortbread layer in the pan and spread it out evenly.
  • Prepare the streusel by whisking the dark brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon together. Cut the cold butter into the mixture.
  • Top the apple pie filling with the streusel mixture. Drizzle caramel syrup over the entire dish and then bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the streusel has turned golden brown.
  • Plate and serve warm. Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the top if desired.

Notes

You can top your caramel apple bars with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream or sprinkle powdered sugar on them. If you like them warm, wait about 15-20 minutes after they come out of the oven to eat them. If you like them cold, let them cool to room temperature and then chill them in the refrigerator for an hour or so.