Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars

Last weekend, I found myself craving the warmth of apple pie but without hours to spend rolling dough. That’s when these Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars came to mind, all the cozy autumn flavors you love, but simplified into handheld squares.

The buttery shortbread base, tender spiced apples, and that golden caramel finish make these bars pure comfort food magic.

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Here is what I love most about my Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars, they deliver all the nostalgic flavors of homemade apple pie without the fuss of pie crust.

You get that perfect balance of sweet and tart apples nestled between a rich shortbread base and a crumbly oat topping.

They’re incredibly forgiving, crowd-pleasing, and honestly, they disappear faster than I can make them.

When I’m planning a dessert spread, these bars pair beautifully with my Easy Peach Crumble Bars, creating a lovely fruit bar duo that guests always remember.

For a lighter complement, I often serve them alongside my refreshing Cold Brew Protein Smoothie during afternoon gatherings—the contrast works wonderfully.

Everything You Need for the Perfect Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars

For the Shortbread Base:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled.
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar.
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (I prefer unbleached)

For the Apple Layer:

• 3 medium apples, peeled and sliced thin (I use one Granny Smith and one Honeycrisp).
• 2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour.
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
• Pinch of ground cloves (optional, but I love the extra warmth)

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats.
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark works).
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.
• 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed small

For Finishing:

• 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought caramel sauce.
• Flaky sea salt for sprinkling.

The key to perfect Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars is using two apple varieties, the contrast creates amazing depth of flavor that you simply can’t get from just one type.

My Method for Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars

1. Prepare your pan: Preheat oven to 325°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. This temperature works better than higher heat for even baking.
2. Make the shortbread base: In a medium bowl, stir together melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Add flour and mix just until combined—don’t overwork it. Press mixture firmly into your prepared pan using the bottom of a measuring cup.
3. Par-bake the crust: Bake for 12 minutes until edges are just set but not browned. Remove and let cool while you prepare the filling.
4. Prepare the apples: Toss sliced apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a large bowl. Make sure every slice is coated—this prevents watery bars.
5. Make the crumble: Combine oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in another bowl. Add cold butter cubes and work them in with your fingers or a pastry cutter until you have coarse, buttery crumbs.
6. Assemble and bake: Increase oven to 350°F. Layer seasoned apples over the warm crust, pressing gently to fit. Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over apples. Bake 32-35 minutes until topping is golden brown and apples feel tender when pierced.
7. Cool properly: Let bars cool in pan for 30 minutes at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting. This step is crucial for clean slices.
8. Finish and serve: Cut into 12 bars using the parchment overhang. Drizzle each bar with warm caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky salt just before serving.

I share so many more seasonal treats and kitchen adventures over on Pinterest! You’ll find endless inspiration for cozy baking projects and family favorites.

Come follow along at and let’s create beautiful food memories together.

The best way I serve Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars

The secret to bakery-quality Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars lies in proper cooling—resist cutting them warm or they’ll fall apart.

I also slice my apples paper-thin using a sharp knife; this ensures they cook evenly and create that perfect tender texture.

My favorite trick? I gently warm the caramel sauce before drizzling so it flows beautifully and doesn’t harden too quickly on the bars.

Can I make these Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars ahead of time?

These bars actually taste better after a day in the refrigerator. I make them up to three days ahead and store them covered.

Just wait to add the caramel drizzle until you’re ready to serve—it stays prettier that way.

Print

What’s the best way to store leftover apple pie bars?

Keep them covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can enjoy them cold, at room temperature, or warmed for 10 seconds in the microwave.

They also freeze beautifully for up to two months if wrapped individually.

Can I substitute different fruits in this recipe?

You can definitely try pears or a combination of apples and cranberries.

Just maintain the same total amount of fruit and adjust the sugar slightly depending on your fruit’s natural sweetness level.

Why do my bars turn out soggy sometimes?

The most common culprit is skipping the chilling step or cutting them too soon.

The cooling time allows everything to set properly, creating those clean, sturdy squares you want from Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars.

---

Perfect Moments for This Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars

I love serving my Caramel Drizzle Apple Pie Bars at autumn gatherings when everyone’s craving something warm and comforting.

They’re wonderful for potluck dinners, weekend brunches with coffee, or as an after-school treat when the kids come home hungry.