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Caramel Apple Crunch Bars

Caramel Apple Crunch Bars

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This recipe blends a gooey caramel andapple filling with a buttery, crumbly oatmeal crust and topping. It is acrowd-pleaser and the ideal fall dessert!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 24 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Calories: 62
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup shortening optional, but adds tenderness
  • 4 ½ cups peeled cored, and chopped apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix of sweet and tart apples work well)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 14-ounce package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons water or heavy cream for melting caramels

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan
  2. Set the oven temperature to 400°F, or 200°C. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper for easy removal, or lightly oil it.
  3. Step 2: Make the Crust and Topping
  4. Put the softened butter, shortening (if using), and brown sugar in a large bowl. Using a medium-speed electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy. Mix the oats, baking soda, salt, and 1¾ cups flour in a separate basin. Mix the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until they are crumbly and thoroughly combined.
  5. Step 3: Form the Crust
  6. To make the topping, measure out and save 2 cups of the crumbly mixture. To create a solid crust, evenly press the remaining ingredients into the bottom of the baking pan.
  7. Step 4: Prepare the Apples
  8. To keep the apples from browning, combine the lemon juice and diced apples in a medium bowl. Next, dust the apples with the three tablespoons of flour and toss once more to coat. As the apples bake, the flour helps to thicken their juices. Evenly cover the prepared crust with the apple mixture.
  9. Step 5: Melt the Caramel
  10. Melt the unwrapped caramels with the water or heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often until smooth. You may omit this step if you are using caramel sauce from a jar.
  11. Step 6: Assemble the Bars
  12. Evenly cover the apple layer with the melted caramel. Cover the caramel and apples with the remaining oat mixture. Using your hands or a spatula, lightly press the topping down.
  13. Step 7: Bake
  14. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the apples are soft and the topping is golden brown.
  15. Step 8: Cool and Serve
  16. Before slicing the bars into squares, let them cool somewhat. You may either let them cool fully at room temperature or even put them in the refrigerator for a little while if you want cleaner cuts. Any leftovers should be refrigerated, covered.

Nutrition

Calories: 62kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.3gSodium: 159mgPotassium: 96mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Serving Size
The recipe calls for a 9x13-inch pan, which usually produces a big quantity of bars. Depending on how you cut them, you may change the serving size. They are frequently cut into:
  • 24 bars: 6 columns by 4 rows Ideal for a small party.
  • 36 bars: 6 columns by 6 rows A typical size that works well for a bake sale or party.
  • 48 bars: 8 columns by 6 rows the bite-sized pieces are ideal for a dessert dish or a large gathering.
Depending on the size of the slices and the number of guests, the dish may easily feed 12 to 24 people.
 

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