Southern Caramel Apple Bars
Indulge in the warm, nostalgic flavors of Southern Caramel Apple Bars—a buttery, spiced treat featuring tender Granny Smith apples, a crumbly oat topping, and a luscious drizzle of caramel sauce. These dessert bars begin with a crisp base made from a cinnamon-infused crumble, layered with tart apples coated in zesty lemon juice and a hint of cornstarch for the perfect filling. The topping, saved from the base mixture, adds a delightful crunch to every bite. Baked to golden perfection, these bars are finished with a generous ribbon of caramel, making them an irresistible choice for fall gatherings or cozy afternoons. Ready in just over an hour, this recipe combines classic Southern charm with crowd-pleasing appeal, ideal for any dessert table or snack time treat. Perfect keywords: caramel apple dessert, oat crumble bars, Southern dessert recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 3 granny smith apples, peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 0.75 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.
Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in the rolled oats and set aside 1 1/2 cups of this mixture for the topping.
Press the remaining crumble mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the base.
In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, cornstarch, and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon until evenly coated.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the base layer in the pan.
Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture on top of the apples, pressing lightly to adhere.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan.
Once cooled, drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the top of the bars.
Cut into 12 squares or rectangles and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
426 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 17.8 g | 23% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.7 g | 54% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 46 mg | 15% | |
| Sodium | 138 mg | 6% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 63.6 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 36.6 g | ||
| Protein | 3.8 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 33 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 110 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
