If you’re craving a treat that perfectly balances gooey, sweet, and warmly spiced flavors, then you’re in for a real delight with this Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Fall Treat. It’s the kind of dessert that invites you to Get Addicted in 45 Min with its buttery crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and that luscious drizzle of salted caramel sauce, all baked to golden perfection. Once you take your first bite, you’ll understand why this recipe never fails to bring smiles and requests for seconds around the table.

Get Addicted in 45 Min Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering simple, high-quality ingredients is the secret to bringing this tempting Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Fall Treat to life. Each component plays a crucial role — from the flaky crumbly base to the fragrant spices that highlight the apples’ natural flavor, all finished with the irresistible salted caramel touch.

Unsalted butter (1 cup/2 sticks): Melted butter creates the rich, tender base and crumbly topping that holds everything together deliciously.

Granulated sugar (1 1/2 cups): Sweetens the crust and topping to balance perfectly with the tart apples.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a warm, aromatic note that enhances all the other flavors.

Salt (1/2 teaspoon): A pinch that sharpens and balances the sweetness, making every bite pop.
All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The essential structure-builder for the crumbly crust and topping.

Apples (3 cups peeled and thinly sliced): Choose crisp, tart apples for the best texture and flavor contrast.
Salted caramel sauce (1/2 cup): The star ingredient that ties the whole dish together with its luscious, buttery sweetness and just a touch of salt.
Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Infuses the apples with that unmistakable warm fall aroma and flavor.

Ground nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a subtle depth that rounds out the spice profile beautifully.

How to Make Get Addicted in 45 Min

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper—this little prep step will make cleanup a breeze and help remove the bars in perfect squares later on.

Step 2: Mix the Crust and Topping

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Then stir in the flour until you get a crumbly mixture that feels just right between your fingers—crumbly but easy to press.

Step 3: Press the Base

Reserve about one-third of the crumb mixture, then press the rest firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. This base will bake into a golden, buttery crust holding the apple filling beautifully.

Step 4: Spice the Apples

In a separate bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with cinnamon and nutmeg. This ensures every bite bursts with warm spice and perfectly complements the caramel sauce.

Step 5: Layer the Apples and Caramel

Spread the spiced apple mixture evenly over the crust. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce generously on top—this step is where your bars truly start to Get Addicted in 45 Min status. The caramel adds that irresistible, luscious richness.

Step 6: Crumble the Topping

Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the caramel and apples for a crisp, golden top that bakes up beautifully crunchy and inviting.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake your bars for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is a gorgeous golden brown and the apples are tender beneath. That aroma alone will tell you that the magic is happening.

Step 8: Cool Before Cutting

Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. This allows the caramel and apples to set just right, so you get clean, perfect bars every time!

How to Serve Get Addicted in 45 Min

Garnishes

For an extra special touch, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt atop the bars just before serving to highlight the salted caramel’s salty-sweet contrasts. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can take each bite over the top, melting slowly into every crumb.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced tea or freshly brewed coffee. If you’re serving a crowd, a light salad of seasonal fruit alongside the bars brings a fresh, bright balance to their rich sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving these bars on rustic wooden boards sprinkled with cinnamon or caramel sauce drizzled artistically over the top. For a festive fall gathering, garnish with toasted pecans or crushed graham crackers for added texture and flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover bars stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you plan to keep them longer, refrigeration is your friend—it helps maintain freshness and texture without drying them out.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully, making them an excellent make-ahead treat. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. When you’re ready, simply thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To bring that fresh-baked warmth back, reheat bars in a low oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes or microwave briefly for a quick warm-up. You’ll revive the gooey caramel and fragrant spices perfectly.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?

Absolutely! While tart apples like Granny Smith are ideal for balance, you can mix in sweeter varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp depending on your taste preferences. Just aim for apples that hold their shape well when baked.

Is it okay to substitute salted caramel sauce with regular caramel?

You can use plain caramel sauce, but adding a small pinch of salt can recreate the salted caramel flavor that makes this dish so irresistible. Salted caramel enhances the depth of flavor beautifully.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

With a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, you can absolutely make this crumble bar gluten-free. Just be sure your blend contains xanthan gum or another binder to keep the crust tender and crumbly.

How long do the bars last once baked?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these bars stay fresh and delicious for up to 4-5 days. Their flavor develops even more as the spices meld, so they’re perfect for making in advance.

Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?

You can double the ingredients and use a larger baking dish, but keep an eye on the baking time as it may vary slightly. Test for a golden topping and tender apples to know it’s ready.

Final Thoughts

There’s truly nothing quite like sinking your teeth into these Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Fall Treats, especially when you know they can Get Addicted in 45 Min! They bring such warmth and richness to any occasion, and once you try this recipe, it will quickly become one of your favorite fall indulgences. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let’s get baking — you’re just minutes away from pure, caramel-spiced happiness.

Get Addicted in 45 Min Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 16 reviews

Author: Lila

Total Time: 55-60 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delight in these Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars, a perfect fall treat that combines tender cinnamon-spiced apples with a buttery crumble topping and luscious salted caramel drizzle. Ready in just 45 minutes, these bars are perfect for cozy gatherings or an indulgent snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust and Crumble

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Apple Filling

3 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (about 3 medium)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping

1/2 cup salted caramel sauce

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir well until fully incorporated.

Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly. Reserve about one-third of this mixture for the topping.
Form Crust: Press about two-thirds of the crumbly mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust layer.
Prepare Apples: In a separate bowl, toss the peeled and thinly sliced apples with ground cinnamon and nutmeg until the apples are evenly coated with the spices.

Assemble Filling: Spread the spiced apple mixture evenly over the crust in the pan.
Add Caramel: Drizzle the salted caramel sauce evenly over the apple layer to add a rich, sweet contrast.
Top Crumble: Sprinkle the reserved crumbly flour mixture over the caramel and apples to create the crumble topping.

Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the apples are tender.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set before cutting them into bars for serving.

Notes

Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture.

Ensure the caramel sauce is salted to balance the sweetness of the apples and sugar.
Let the bars cool completely to avoid them falling apart when cutting.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.

For extra crunch, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the crumble topping.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40-45 minutes

Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 1/12 of the recipe)
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 24 g

Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g

Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g

Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 40 mg

Keywords: salted caramel, apple crumble, fall dessert, apple bars, caramel apple, crumble bars, quick dessert