Caramel Apple Crumb Bars (Printable)

Buttery layers of tender crust, spiced apples, and caramel topped with golden crumbs

# What You'll Need:

→ Crust and Crumb

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→ Apple Filling

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→ Caramel Layer

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# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter or your fingers until crumbly. Stir in vanilla extract.
03 - Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the mixture for the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
04 - Bake the crust for 12 minutes, then remove from oven.
05 - Place apple slices in a bowl and toss with lemon juice. Add sugar, flour, and cinnamon, tossing to coat evenly.
06 - Spread the apple mixture evenly over the hot crust. Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples.
07 - Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the top.
08 - Bake for 28-32 minutes or until the topping is light golden brown and apples are tender.
09 - Let cool completely in the pan, then lift out using parchment and cut into bars.

# Tips from dashanddishes:

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  • Three distinct textures in every bite, from buttery shortbread to tender spiced apples
  • The scent of cinnamon and caramel fills your entire house while baking
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  • Use really cold butter and work quickly so it doesn't soften before hitting the oven
  • Cutting uniform apple slices ensures everything bakes evenly and looks beautiful
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  • Chill the prepared pan for 15 minutes before baking if your butter starts getting too soft while working
  • Use your parchment paper overhang to lift the entire batch out before cutting for cleaner edges

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