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    Home » Recipes » Baking

    Caramel Apple Pie Bars: Easy Recipe!

    Published: Sep 30, 2021 · Modified: Aug 26, 2022 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Apple pie bars Pinterest image pin.

    Easy caramel apple pie bars, made with a sweet shortbread base, tart apples, thick caramel sauce, and a buttery shortbread crust flavoured with cinnamon!

    Just as delicious as homemade apple pie, but much easier to make! Don't forget to pack some for your next picnic! You might also like my blackberry crumble bars too!

    Caramel apple pie bars on a wooden board.
    Caramel Apple Pie Bars

    I love apple pie (especially during apple picking season), but sometimes I just don't have the time to make pastry! That's where these 6 ingredient apple pie bars come in handy. You get all the flavours of apple pie, but in handy bar form.

    A simple shortbread base mimics the pastry, without all the faff of actually making pastry! Ok, I know making pastry isn't that difficult, but sometimes it just feels like too much effort.

    👩‍🍳 Love apples? You'll want to give my apple flapjacks (oat bars) a go next!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 🔪 How to make apple pie bars
    • 💭 Top tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ FAQs
    • 😋More apple desserts
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    Here’s why these are the best apple pie bars:

    • Quick and easy recipe to make in Autumn.
    • Simple Ingredients.
    • All the flavours of homemade apple pie, in bar form.
    • Easily transportable, so perfect for picnics and bake sales.
    • Freezer-friendly.

    🛒 Ingredients

    Ingredients needed to make apple pie bars
    • Apples - Bramley apples give a lovely tart flavour to the apple bars, which contrasts nicely with the sweet caramel. Alternatively, use Granny Smith apples, or if you have a sweet tooth, Pink Lady apples. Use a sharp knife to cut thin apple slices.
    • Flour - self raising flour is used in these bars.
    • Sugar - light brown sugar for a deep caramel sweetness. You could substitute with caster sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer.
    • Butter - Unsalted butter, cut into cubes straight form the fridge. Don't let the butter soften before you start rubbing it into the flour.
    • Cinnamon - 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
    • Caramel - I use carnation caramel from a tin, but feel free to make your own or use another brand.
    • Lemon Juice (optional) - squeeze the juice over the Bramley apples to prevent them from going brown. If you work fast, you'll be OK without it.

    🔪 How to make apple pie bars

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Rub together the flour and cubed cold butter in a large bowl until you get a fine breadcrumb consistency. You can also use a food processor for this step if you prefer.

    Two: Stir in the cinnamon and sugar.

    Three: Press half the mixture down into a lined tin. Use the back of a metal spoon to make sure it is as tightly packed as possible.

    Step by step photo instructions for making the shortbread crust for the apple pie bars.

    Four: Peel and slice the Bramley apples and lay them in a single layer over the shortbread base.

    Five: Spoon over the caramel.

    Six: Top with the remaining half of the shortbread mixture. Press down lightly with your hands. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

    Photo instructions for assembling the apple pie bars.

    💭 Top tips

    • Make sure the butter is fridge cold for the shortbread. Using cold butter means the shortbread will be light and crisp.
    • Bramley apples (cooking apples) have a lovely tart flavour and soften well on cooking. If you can't get hold of Bramely apples, use a tart eating apple instead, like Granny Smith.
    • To make the bars easier to cut, once the bars have cooled to room temperature, place the baking tin in the freezer for 30 minutes. It will help harden the caramel enough for you to cut nice clean bars.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    The apple pie bars make a great snack with a glass of cold milk. You could also serve them as a quick and easy dessert, with creamy custard, maple syrup, or honeycomb ice cream!

    📖 Variations

    • Add a pinch of sea salt and one teaspoon of vanilla extract to the caramel sauce, to make salted caramel apple pie bars.
    • Add some chopped walnuts to the shortbread topping to give the bars a nutty crunch.
    • Make apple and blackberry pie bars by adding 100g of fresh or frozen blackberries to the apple layer.
    • Make them extra decadent by drizzling over more caramel sauce after baking!
    • Make a streusel crumb topping for the top layer of th e bars.
    A stack of caramel apple pie bars.

    🥡 Storage

    The bars will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze in layers separated by nonstick parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.

    ❓ FAQs

    What are the best apples to use for apple pie bars?

    Cooking apples, like Bramleys, or tart eating apples such as Granny Smith are best for apple pie bars. The flavour contrasts well with the sweet crust.

    Do apple bars need to be refrigerated?

    Fruit fillings that have been prepared with sugar can be safely left out at room temperature for up to two days.

    😋More apple desserts

    • Cinnamon Apple Muffins
    • Cinnamon Apple Crumble
    • Apple and Blackberry Turnovers
    • Apple Loaf Cake

    Tried this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating in the comments!

    Recipe

    A stack of caramel apple pie bars.
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    5 from 8 votes

    Caramel Apple Pie Bars

    Easy caramel apple pie bars, made with a sweet shortbread base, sliced Bramley apples, thick caramel sauce, and a crispy shortbread crust flavoured with cinnamon!
    Course Bars
    Cuisine British
    Keyword apple bars, apple pie bars, caramel apple pie bars, easy apple pie bars
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 35 minutes
    Total Time 45 minutes
    Servings 16
    Calories 211kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Kitchen Scales
    • Vegetable Peeler
    • Chopping Board
    • 30 x 20 cm Baking Tin

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 300 g Self Raising Flour
    • 165 g Butter cubed
    • 50 g Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
    • 250 g Caramel
    • 2 Bramley Apples peeled, cored and thinly sliced.

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 180°c (160 fan/ Gas 4/ 350F) and line a 20 x 30cm baking tin.
    • Rub together the flour and cubed cold butter in a large bowl until you get a fine breadcrumb consistency.
    • Stir in the cinnamon and sugar.
    • Press half the mixture into the lined tin. Use the back of a metal spoon to pack it down as tightly as possible.
    • Peel and slice the Bramley apples and lay them in a single layer over the shortbread base.
    • Spoon over the caramel.
    • Top with the remaining half of the shortbread mixture. Press down lightly with your hands. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes until golden.
    • Leave to cool in the tin, then place the tin in the freezer for 30 minutes to make cutting into bars easier.

    Notes

    Top Tips:
    • Make sure the butter is fridge cold for the shortbread. Using cold butter means the shortbread will be light and crisp.
    • Bramley apples (cooking apples) have a lovely tart flavour and soften well on cooking. If you can't get hold of Bramely apples, use a tart eating apple instead like Granny Smith.
    • To make the bars easier to cut, once cool, place the tin in the freezer for 30 minutes. It will help harden the caramel enough for you to cut nice clean bars.
     
    Variations:
    • Add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel sauce to make salted caramel apple pie bars.
    • Add some chopped walnuts to the shortbread topping to give the bars a nutty crunch.
    • Make apple and blackberry pie bars by adding 100g of fresh or frozen blackberries to the apple layer.
    • Make them extra decadent by drizzling over more caramel sauce after baking!
     
    Storage:
    The bars will keep for 2-3 days in an air-tight container. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze in layers separated by nonstick baking paper to prevent them from sticking together.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Caramel Apple Pie Bars
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    211
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    7
    g
    11
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    1
    mg
    0
    %
    Sodium
     
    40
    mg
    2
    %
    Potassium
     
    89
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    35
    g
    12
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    16
    g
    18
    %
    Protein
     
    5
    g
    10
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    25
    IU
    1
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    1
    mg
    1
    %
    Calcium
     
    42
    mg
    4
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gloria

      September 30, 2021 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      We are getting into apple season. These bars sound so delicious. I need to make some for Thanksgiving. I know they will be a hit.

      Reply
    2. Liz

      September 30, 2021 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      I can't think of a better way to celebrate fall!! These caramel apple pie bars are a winner!

      Reply
    3. Elaine Benoit

      September 30, 2021 at 1:37 pm

      5 stars
      I'm looking forward to trying your apple bars. I love caramel and adore apples so this recipe is right up my alley! Can't wait to see if the bars are as delicious as they look.

      Reply
    4. Natalie

      September 30, 2021 at 2:01 pm

      5 stars
      These bars look delicious. Buttery, and perfectly flavored. Just like grandma's old recipe. But different. I have to give them a try. Yum! Can't wait.

      Reply
    5. Toni

      September 30, 2021 at 2:22 pm

      5 stars
      This is so amazing! My kids really loved these pie bars! Delicious!

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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