Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars with Maple Glaze is a delicious fall dessert, which has a shortbread crust, topped with salted caramel glazed Apples as the filling and a crumbly and buttery streusel on top, along with a Maple Vanilla Glaze. It is super easy to make and makes for a perfect dessert for Fall and Thanksgiving, which bakes in just 30 minutes.

Hey guys! Happy weekend! So, this Saturday, it's all about baking with Apples. I love to use Apples for my desserts and today I thought of baking these delicious Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars with some sweet Maple glaze. These Bars have a thick buttery streusel on top, and when you bite into it, you get the flavors of Salted Caramel glazed Apples. And the shortcrust pastry base is just too addictive!
The changing season and the gushing winter winds get me so excited to bake something warm and cinnamony in the kitchen. This Apple Crisp bar reminds me of my classic Apple Crumble, which I love to enjoy during this time of the year, of course with that extra dollop of Ice Cream on top!

What I love about these Apple Crisp Bars is that it is so easy to make. My boys love Apple desserts and this is the perfect excuse to dish out delicious Apple treats in the kitchen for the weekend.
Ingredients I have used for these Bars

Granny Smith Apples - I have used Granny Smith Apples. These are crunchy on the outside and not too sweet, which is perfect for this dessert. I do not prefer Macintosh Apples as they are more on the sweeter side. You can use Honey crisp apples or Fuji Apples for this recipe.
Homemade Salted Caramel - I make my own salted caramel sauce at home. I combine about 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of butter over a low flame on a skillet. Once the sugar starts to melt, I stir vigorously so as not to allow anything to stick at the bottom of the skillet, and then when it's nice and brown, I add some Sea Salt and mix well. And it's done!
Besides this, I have used just the basic pantry ingredients like Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Cinnamon, Brown Sugar and Butter for this recipe.
Let's talk about the Taste

These Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars are just delicious. The buttery streusel on top is seriously to die for. Also, the Salted Caramel Glazed Apples, makes the filling juicy and sweet. Also, the lower crust is sweet and buttery.
This reminds me of my favorite Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars!
A thick streusel on top, kind of like a coffee cake, gets me so much excited. I love the buttery top! It's just the best. Also, it's so addictive!
I remember a few days ago, when I baked a Pumpkin Coffee Cake, I saw myself reaching out for these bars, so additively, that I had three of them at one go! I know! I never do that, especially with desserts, but when there is a buttery crumb calling me out, I can't help it guys! 🙂
Making these Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars

So making these Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars involves three basic steps:
The first step is to make the shortbread crust. So, for that Just combine flour with butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. When it gets combined you layer it at the bottom of your pan and bake it at 350F or 180C for 5-10 minutes.
Also, don't forget to poke small holes over the crust, so that they don't puff up in the oven.
The Second step is to peel and core the apples and cut it into lengthwise slices. Top it over the shortbread base and drizzle salted caramel sauce on top.
The Third Step is to simply combine Cold Butter with Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, and Flour. The trick to using cold butter for your crumb topping is to cut it into small bite-sized chunks. Then combine it with your hands or use a pastry blender or two forks. Within seconds it will reach a crumbly consistency with pea-sized crumbs and then, all you need to do it sprinkle that all over your Apples.
How to store these Apple Crisp Bars?

You can store these Apple Crisp Bars in an airtight container. You can wrap it up with cling wrap or foil and pop it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I like to serve these warm because then you feel the buttery streusel with every bite. So, to reheat it you can pop it in the oven for 3-4 minutes at 350F and once it gets heated, cool it down to room temperature and then serve!
Other Apple Recipes for the season:
Apple Spice Cupcakes with Salted Caramel frosting
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars with Maple Glaze
INGREDIENTS
Lower Crust
- 1 cup AP Flour
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Butter melted
Apple Filling
- 1 big sized Granny Smith Apple cut into thin lengthwise slices
- ½ cup Caramel Syrup
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Crumble Top
- ¾ cup AP Flour
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- ½ cup Cold Butter 80 gm cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
Maple Glaze
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 tablespoon Maple Syrup
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350F or 180C and line a 9 by 9 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- To make the shortbread crust, combine flour, melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Once it reaches to wet sand- like consistency, layer it at the bottom of your baking dish Even out the top with the back of your spatula.Bake it at 350F for 10 minutes.
- Peel, core, and chop the Apples, lengthwise into thin slices. Layer it over the baked shortbread crust. Drizzle caramel syrup and salt over it.
- To make the streusel, in a separate mixing bowl, combine flour with brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and cold butter cubes. Use your hands or a pastry blender to combine everything into a crumbly mixture.Layer it over the apple caramel filling.
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350F or 180C. Cool it down to room temperature and cut into equal-sized squares.
- In a bowl beat the Sugar with Maple syrup until it gets thick and creamy. Drizzle it over the Bars and serve!
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