These Salted Caramel Apple Butter Bars are a dreamy blend of rich caramel, spiced apples, and a buttery crust that’s perfect for autumn. The buttery crust pairs beautifully with a gooey caramel apple filling and a hint of sea salt, bringing out the perfect balance of sweet and salty in each bite. Perfect for gatherings or as a cozy treat, these bars will become a new favorite for the season. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe!
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 pound of salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling
- 14 ounces unwrapped caramels (1 standard bag)
- ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. For easier removal, line the pan with parchment paper, letting the edges overhang slightly.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the salted butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar together until creamy and fluffy.
- Add Vanilla and Flour: Add the vanilla extract and gradually mix in the flour, beating until just combined.
- Press into Pan: Divide the dough in half. Press one half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a crust layer. Set the other half aside.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden. Take it out of the oven and allow it to cool for a few moments as you prepare the filling.
- Melt Caramels: In a medium saucepan, combine the unwrapped caramels and heavy whipping cream. Stir over low heat until the caramels are completely melted and smooth.
- Mix Apples and Cinnamon: In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, cinnamon, and cornstarch, stirring until the apples are well coated.
- Assemble the Filling: Spread the caramel mixture evenly over the baked crust. Then layer the diced, cinnamon-coated apples on top of the caramel.
- Top with Remaining Dough: Crumble the remaining half of the dough over the apple layer, covering as much of the filling as possible.
- Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Sprinkle Sea Salt: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the bars with sea salt. Let the bars cool completely before cutting.
Conclusion
These Salted Caramel Apple Butter Bars combine all the comforting flavors of fall into one incredible dessert. With a buttery crust, spiced apples, rich caramel, and a sprinkle of sea salt, every bite is perfectly balanced and irresistibly delicious. Serve these bars at your next gathering, and watch them disappear!