It's that time of year when the air turns crisp, and the craving for warm, comforting flavors takes over. For me, that means embracing all things apple, especially when combined with rich, gooey caramel. But let's be honest, sometimes you want the deliciousness of a pie without all the fuss. That's where these Caramel Apple Dream Bars come in, and they're about to become your new fall obsession.
I've always had a sweet tooth, but lately, I've found myself more drawn to flavors that are balanced, not just overwhelmingly sweet. And these bars? They perfectly capture that. Imagine a thick, soft, brown sugar crust that's slightly crumbly, cradling a layer of thinly sliced apples cooked down in a buttery caramel sauce. The contrast in textures and flavors is simply divine.
What I love most about these bars is how they've morphed into something totally unique. Inspired by my grandma's classic apple crisp, a few favorite caramel candies, and a recent pumpkin caramel recipe, this dessert is a tribute to the good things in life. Think warm, buttery, sweet flavors that are more than the sum of their parts.
And here's a confession: I've been caught eating these bars straight from the fridge, cold. Yes, cold! It’s a fall food crime, I know. But trust me, they're just as satisfying cold as they are warm, especially with a glass of milk or a scoop of ice cream (if you're not a rule breaker like me!).
These Caramel Apple Dream Bars are a labor of love, but they're also surprisingly easy to throw together. With a little help from a mandoline slicer (or a steady hand), the apples become paper-thin, allowing them to soak up all that delicious caramel. And let’s talk about the homemade caramel—it’s pure magic. Buttery, rich, and perfectly sweet, it takes the apple filling to a whole new level. These bars are all about the layers: the buttery, brown sugar crust on the bottom and top, the soft apples, and the luscious caramel, all coming together to create a dessert that's impossible to resist. Grab your apron, and lets make some Caramel Apple Dream Bars! This recipe is a keeper.
Recipe:
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:
- Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Beat softened butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until creamy. Add cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and flour until crumbly. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture. Press the remaining mixture into a parchment-lined 9x13 inch baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes.
- Filling: Quarter apples and remove seeds and core. Slice apple quarters using a mandoline slicer for paper-thin slices. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add both sugars; when incorporated, add cream and stir until a creamy sauce forms. It should coat the back of a spoon.
- Assembly: When the crust is done, arrange apple slices evenly over the crust, and pour caramel over them. Sprinkle the reserved crust mixture over the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven, lift out using the parchment paper edges, and let cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes:
- When measuring the flour, if using a scoop method, you might need slightly more flour to get the right crumbly texture of the dough. If you use a spoon-measuring method, then the measurement should be spot on.
Enjoy the taste of fall with these amazing bars!