Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

stack of apple pie bars with salted caramel sauce on top

Without a doubt, apple pie is my favorite dessert. I love the combination of sweet and tart spiced apples with the buttery, flaky pie crust. It’s cozy, comforting, and simply irresistible. I have the recipe memorized and make it year-round, not just at Thanksgiving. 

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)

Apple Filling

2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)*

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Streusel

1/2 cup (43g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats

1/3 cup (70g) packed light or dark brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup (31g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)

1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

homemade salted caramel or store-bought caramel sauce