Caramel Apple Crumb Bars (Printable version)

Tender shortbread layered with spiced apples, rich caramel, and buttery crumble topping for the ultimate autumn treat.

# What you'll need:

→ Crust and Crumb

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→ Apple Filling

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→ Caramel Layer

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# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter or your fingers until crumbly. Stir in vanilla extract.
03 - Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the mixture for the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
04 - Bake the crust for 12 minutes, then remove from oven.
05 - While the crust is baking, place apple slices in a bowl and toss with lemon juice. Add sugar, flour, and cinnamon, tossing to coat evenly.
06 - Spread the apple mixture evenly over the hot crust. Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples.
07 - Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the top.
08 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until the topping is light golden brown and apples are tender.
09 - Let cool completely in the pan, then lift out using parchment and cut into bars.

# Expert Tips:

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  • These bars capture everything wonderful about fall baking in one easy dessert
  • The tender shortbread crust perfectly balances the sweet tart apples
  • You get all the comfort of apple pie without the hassle of rolling out dough
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  • Cutting the butter into small cubes before starting makes it so much easier to work into the flour
  • The crust needs to cool completely before slicing or the bars will fall apart
  • A mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples gives you the perfect balance of tart and sweet
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  • Use the parchment overhang as handles to lift the whole batch out easily
  • Let the bars sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving if refrigerated

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