Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Caramel apple pie bars bring together a tender shortbread base, a spiced apple layer, and a soft caramel drizzle. They taste like a slice of pie but slice and serve in neat squares, which makes them easy to share. If you love fall baking, these are worth a spot on your counter.

Think of these as pie without the fuss of a crust to crimp. You press the dough, scatter on the apples, bake, then finish with caramel. The result is a dessert that feels special but stays simple.

Let the bars cool fully before the caramel goes on, or it will slide right off the warm top.

Why You’ll Love These Caramel Apple Pie Bars

• The shortbread stays buttery and just firm enough to hold a clean square
• These caramel apple pie bars layer warm cinnamon apples over a sweet base
• The poured caramel sets into a soft, glossy finish you can taste in every bite

Ingredient Notes

Here are a few notes on what goes into the bars so you can shop with confidence. These are pointers only; the exact measurements in the recipe card tell you how much of each to use.

• Apples: a firm baking variety like Gravenstein holds its texture instead of turning to mush
• Unsalted butter: room temperature butter creams into a light shortbread base
• Pecans: they add crunch and a toasty note to the apple layer
• Heavy cream: it gives the caramel its smooth, pourable body

For equipment you will want a 9×13 baking pan, a stand or hand mixer for the dough, and a candy thermometer for the caramel. Use a pot that holds at least 2 quarts for the caramel so it has room to bubble safely.

How to Make Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Making caramel apple pie bars comes down to three simple layers built one at a time. You press the crust, top it with apples, then crown the cooled bars with caramel.

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees and stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt
2. Cream the butter, then beat in the egg yolks and sugar until light, and mix in the flour just until it comes together
3. Press the shortbread evenly into a greased and parchment-lined 9×13 pan
4. Toss the apples with the topping ingredients, spread over the dough, and bake 40 to 45 minutes
5. Cool fully, then cook the caramel to 240 degrees twice, drizzle over the bars, and let it set before slicing

This recipe fills one 9×13 pan and yields about 12 bars, and you can bake it a day ahead. Make the caramel right before serving or store it separately and warm it gently to pour.

Storage Options

Because of the caramel and fresh apples, these caramel apple pie bars keep best chilled. Cover them well so they stay soft.

1. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 5 days
2. Let bars sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for the best texture
3. Freeze cut bars without caramel for up to 2 months, then thaw and drizzle

Variations & Substitutions

The base recipe is friendly to swaps, so use what you have on hand. A few small changes can give your apple pie bars a new spin.

1. Swap the pecans for walnuts, or leave nuts out for a nut-free batch
2. Use Granny Smith apples for a tarter, brighter filling
3. Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the apple layer for more warmth
4. Stir a little flaky sea salt into the caramel for a salted finish

What to Serve with Caramel Apple Pie Bars

These caramel apple pie bars are rich on their own, but a few easy pairings round out the plate. Think cozy, fall-friendly sides.

1. A scoop of vanilla ice cream while the bars are barely warm
2. A mug of hot coffee or spiced cider
3. A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream
4. A plate of salty-sweet peanut butter pretzel bars for a mixed dessert tray

Still have a question or two before you start baking? Here are the ones I hear most often, answered below.

Once you slice into that first square, you will see why these are a fall favorite. If you are in the mood for more cozy apple baking, try a pan of caramel apple sticky buns next.

A Beautiful Bite

Caramel Apple Pie Bars

4.84 from 6 votes

Part shortbread, part apple pie.

Prep:30 minutes mins

Cook:45 minutes mins

Total:1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings:12 bar

Author:A Beautiful Bite

Print

Rate Pin

Save this recipe

Enter your email and I’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.

Email address

Email me this recipe

Website

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 4 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 2 tsp baking powder
• ▢ ¼ tsp salt
• ▢ 4 sticks unsalted butter at room temp
• ▢ 4 large egg yolks
• ▢ 2 cups granulated sugar
• ▢ 6 cups apples I used Gravenstein, peeled, cored and diced
• ▢ 3 Tbsp butter melted
• ▢ 1½ cup pecans
• ▢ ½ cup brown sugar
• ▢ ¼ cup flour
• ▢ 1 tsp cinnamon
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
• ▢ 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
• ▢ ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ ¾ cup brown sugar packed
• ▢ ¼ cup water
• ▢ ¼ cup light corn syrup

Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 350º.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In a mixer on high speed, beat butter until fluffy. Add egg yolks and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.
• Turn mixer speed down to low and add flour mixture. Mix just until everything comes together.
• Grease a 9×13 baker. Line the center with parchment paper with a little overlap on the ends. This will make removal from the pan easier.
• Press shortbread evenly into pan. Set aside.
• Prepare apple topping:
• In a large mixing bowl, combine all topping ingredients. Mix well to coat. Pour mixture over unbaked shortbread dough. Bake in a 350º oven for 40-45 minutes.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool.
• Prepare caramel:
• In a large sauce pan, heat cream and butter over medium heat just until the butter is melted. Give it a stir and take it off of the heat.
• Attach a candy thermometer to a 2 quart or larger pot (this is very important, make sure to use this size). Combine sugars, corn syrup and water in pot. Cook over medium-high heat giving it a stir every now and again until the temperature hits 240º.
• Turn off the heat and add the cream/butter mixture. Turn heat back up and continue to cook over medium-high heat until the temperature comes back up to 240º.
• Remove from heat and stir for one minute. Drizzle mixture over baked bars. Allow to cool completely. Slice and serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1barCalories: 497kcalCarbohydrates: 76gProtein: 5.9gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 112mgPotassium: 168mgFiber: 3.5gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 26900IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 780mgIron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this?Leave a comment!