Caramel Apple Oatmeal Bars Recipe
These Caramel Apple Oatmeal Bars combine tart Granny Smith apples with a warm spice blend and a buttery oat and flour crust, topped with a luscious homemade caramel sauce. Baked until golden and then chilled for perfect slicing, they make a delightful treat for dessert or snack time, balancing fruity tartness with sweet, gooey caramel.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 3 medium-large Granny Smith apples (400 grams / 3 1/2 cups), chopped
- 20 g (2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour
- 14 g (1 tablespoon) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crust and Crumbles
- 140 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour (dip and sweep method)
- 130 g (1 1/3 cup) rolled oats
- 105 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 150 g (2/3 cup) unsalted butter, melted
Caramel Sauce
- 1 recipe homemade caramel sauce (or store-bought caramel sauce adjusted to pourable consistency)
- Optional: heavy cream (to adjust caramel consistency gradually while whisking)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) square oven-proof dish and line it with parchment paper, allowing approximately 2 inches (5 cm) overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped apples with nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, and flour. Stir gently with a spoon or spatula until the mixture is well combined and coated.
- Make Crust and Crumbles: In another medium bowl, stir together rolled oats, flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and mix until the mixture is evenly moistened.
- Assemble Base and Toppings: Set aside one-third of the oat mixture (about 180 grams or loosely 1 cup) for the crumble topping. Press the remaining two-thirds firmly into the bottom of the prepared dish to form the base crust. Spread the apple filling evenly over this crust. Then sprinkle the reserved oat mixture gently over the apples, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Bake the Bars: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 50 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Prepare Caramel Sauce: While baking, prepare the caramel sauce by gradually adding heavy cream while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. If using store-bought caramel from the fridge, warm it gently over low-medium heat while stirring until pourable.
- Cool and Assemble with Caramel: Once baked, remove the bars and let them cool at room temperature for 1 hour. Pour half of the caramel sauce evenly over the top and gently swirl it to spread it out.
- Chill Before Serving: Let the bars stand at room temperature with caramel for at least 30 minutes before transferring them to the fridge. Chill in the refrigerator for an additional 1 1/2 hours to set and firm up, which helps with slicing cleanly.
- Slice and Serve: Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars from the pan and cut into 16 equal slices. Optionally, drizzle extra caramel sauce on top before serving for added sweetness.
Notes
- Use Granny Smith apples for a nice balance of tartness and firmness that holds up well during baking.
- Press the base crust firmly into the pan to create a sturdy foundation for the apple filling and topping.
- Gradually add heavy cream to caramel sauce while whisking to prevent lumps and ensure smooth texture.
- Allow the bars to chill thoroughly before slicing to maintain shape and clean cuts.
- If preferred, caramel sauce can be prepared ahead or substituted with store-bought, warmed to a pourable consistency.
- For crispier topping, consider broiling for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/caramel-apple-oatmeal-bars-recipe/
