These easy-to-make layered bars are packed with a delicious combination of homemade caramel and fresh apples, all nestled between a sweet, brown sugar crust. Here’s how you can whip up these tasty treats:
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 3/4 cup softened butter
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups flour
For the Filling:
- 4 small apples
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup cream or half-and-half
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions:
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Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until creamy.
- Mix in cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and flour until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Reserve one cup of this mixture for later and press the rest into a 9×13 inch baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
-
Make the Filling:
- Core and quarter the apples, then slice them thinly, ideally with a mandoline slicer for ultra-thin slices.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and add both sugars. Heat until the sugars are well incorporated and the mixture is about to bubble.
- Stir in the cream until a creamy caramel sauce forms.
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Assemble the Bars:
- Once the crust is baked, arrange the apple slices evenly over it.
- Pour the caramel sauce over the apples.
- Sprinkle the reserved crust mixture on top, and add some turbinado sugar for extra sparkle and crunch.
- Bake for another 30-35 minutes.
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Finishing Touches:
- Remove from the oven, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper, and let them cool for about 10-15 minutes before cutting into squares.
Notes:
- When measuring flour, scooping directly from the bag works fine for this recipe. If you usually measure flour with a spoon, you might need a bit more to get the right texture.
Enjoy your scrumptious caramel apple bars, perfect for a fall dessert or any sweet occasion!
