Hello lovelies,
If you’ve been around here recently, you’ll know that at the beginning of last month I uploaded a ‘Roasted Apricot Shortbread Bars’ recipe! You’ll also know that in that post, I made a promise that I’d be back with an autumnal version if you guys liked the original recipe.
Much to my joy, I got a really great response, therefore, I’m sticking to my promise and bringing you the goods! And damn are these good.
Now, I love baking a apple pie during the colder months. There’s something so warm and homely about a apple pie, especially when served with warm custard and/or cream. So, when coming up with a autumnal version of my previously loved roasted apricot bars, I knew I wanted to base it around apple pies.
This, like my apple pie, has three incredibly decadent layers which include a vanilla shortbread base, a spiced apple filling and a streusel topping. Oh and not forgetting the salted caramel drizzle to finish it off. Honestly, if that doesn’t sound like heaven to you, I don’t know what will.
If there’s one thing I particularly love about these bars it’s how ridiculously quick and easy they are to make. If you make an apple pie yourself, you’ll know it can sometimes take hours to complete and don’t get me wrong, the end result is always delicious BUT if your time is limited, these bars are a great alternative. You still get the full satisfaction of a apple pie taste just with a quicker time scale.
So, if this recipe has those saliva glands salivating, you know what to do. Keep on scrolling for the recipe below:
Category: Sweet Treat
Servings: 9-12
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cooking Time: 50 Minutes
Overall Time: 1Hour 20Minutes
Ingredients You Need For Base:
- 170g Of Unsalted Butter
- 105g Of Caster Sugar
- 65g Of Light Brown Sugar
- 2tsp Of Vanilla Extract
- 280g Of Plain Flour
Ingredients You Need For Filling:
- 4 Large Apples (Any Apple You Prefer)
- 2tbsp Of Plain Flour
- 2tbsp Of Granulated Sugar
- 1tsp Of Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4tsp Of Ground Nutmeg
Ingredients You Need For Streusel:
- 70g Of Light Brown Sugar
- 1/4tsp Of Ground Cinnamon
- 31g Of Plain Flour
- 56g Of Unsalted Butter, Cold & Cubed
- Jar Of Salted Caramel Sauce
How To Make The Shortbread Base:
- Firstly, gather together your equipment and ingredients, line a 8inch square, loose bottomed cake tin with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 190C / 170C Fan / Gas Mark 4.
- Secondly, in a large bowl, using an electric whisk, beat together the 170g of unsalted butter with the 105g of caster sugar, 65g of light brown sugar and 2tsp of vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
- Next, slowly add the 280g of plain flour and mix until incorporated and a shortbread dough begins to form.
- Now, using your hands or a rubber spatula, press the shortbread dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking tin.
- Using a fork, prick the dough all over (this stops the dough from puffing up whilst baking).
- Place the tin into the oven and bake for around 18-20 minutes, until the shortbread is golden brown.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin whilst you prepare the filling.
How To Make The Spiced Apple Filling:
- Peel and thinly slice the 4 large apples into a large bowl.
- Next, add in the 2tbsp of plain flour, 2tbsp of granulated sugar, 1tsp of ground cinnamon and 1/4tsp of nutmeg into the large bowl with the apples and mix together until all the apples are evenly coated.
How To Make The Streusel Topping:
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the 70g of light brown sugar, 1/4tsp of ground cinnamon and 31g of plain flour.
- Add in the 56g of cold and cubed unsalted butter and using your fingertips, rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
How To Assemble The Bars:
- Now that the base has been baked and the filling and streusel has been made, it’s time to assemble.
- Turn the oven up to 200C / 180C Fan / Gas Mark 6.
- Evenly and tightly layer the apple slices on top of the warm base.
- Sprinkle the streusel across the top of the apple layer.
- Place the assembled bars back into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the streusel is golden brown.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes before placing the tin into the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours.
- Finally, carefully remove the bars from the tin, cut into 9-12 squares and drizzle over the salted caramel sauce.
That’s your Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars prepared and baked, ready for you to enjoy!
To me, this bake is the epitome of autumn!
I’ve been itching to share this recipe with you ever since I made it back a couple of weeks ago as I just know if your a apple pie lover, you will fall in love with these bars of perfection.
Let me know in the comments below if you make these bars yourself and if you do, what your thoughts are on them. Are these not just a apple pie in bar form? Tell me, what do you prefer? A pie or bar?
Sending you all tons of love & hugs as always,
Elle xo
