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Apple Pie Bars with Peanut Butter Caramel

Apple Pie Bars with Peanut Butter Caramel

Cozy apple pie bars topped with a rich, creamy peanut butter caramel. Buttery crumble, tender apples, and a sweet-salty drizzle in every bite.
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Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 16

Ingredients
 

Crust & Crumble

  • 1.9 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1.2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 0.65 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 0.2 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.75 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla extract

Apple Filling

  • 4 cup thinly sliced tart apples peeled and cored
  • 1.25 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar
  • 1.5 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1.25 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.13 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Peanut Butter Caramel

  • 0.5 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 0.5 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.25 tsp fine sea salt

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving overhang.
  • Whisk flour, oats, both sugars, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
  • Stir in melted butter and vanilla until the mixture looks evenly moistened and clumpy.
  • Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the pan. Bake 10–12 minutes until lightly set.
  • Toss apples with lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla; set aside.
  • Make caramel: melt butter with brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until bubbling.
  • Whisk in cream and simmer 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in peanut butter, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
  • Layer apples evenly over the warm crust. Drizzle about half the peanut butter caramel over the apples.
  • Crumble the remaining oat mixture on top, leaving some apples peeking through.
  • Bake 30–35 minutes until the topping is golden and the filling bubbles at the edges.
  • Cool in the pan for 1 hour. Drizzle with remaining peanut butter caramel, then slice into bars.

Notes

Variation: Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts on top with the final drizzle for crunch, or add a pinch of flaky salt before serving. Storage: Keep bars covered at room temperature for 1 day, or refrigerate up to 5 days; warm briefly to soften the caramel.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Apple Pie Bars with Peanut Butter Caramel flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.