Apple Pie Bars with Caramel Sauce
Category: Desserts
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
| For the crust | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 125g |
| Butter (cold, cubed) | 115g |
| Granulated sugar | 50g |
| Brown sugar | 100g |
| Butter (for topping) | 90g |
| Cornflakes | 60g |
| All-purpose flour | 60g |
| Ground cinnamon | 3g |
| Ground nutmeg | 3g |
| Golden apples | 2 |
| For the apple filling | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 40g |
| Granulated sugar | 40g |
| Ground ginger | 3g |
| Granulated sugar | 100g |
| Water | 25g |
| Heavy cream | 50g |
| Butter | 10g |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the crust:
Start by preparing the “crust” for your apple pie bars. Place the cold, cubed butter and all-purpose flour into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix until the mixture becomes crumbly and the ingredients combine into a uniform consistency. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can also use your hands to mix the ingredients together. -
Once the mixture is combined, transfer it to a lightly floured work surface and knead for a few seconds to bring the dough together. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to rest.
-
Season the apples:
While the dough chills, prepare the apple filling. Peel and core the apples, then cut them into thin slices. Place the apple slices into a bowl and add the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and ground ginger. Toss everything together to coat the apples evenly with the spices and sugar. -
Roll out the dough:
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take the dough from the fridge and roll it out into a square shape, roughly 21.5 cm (8.5 inches) on each side. Use a square pastry cutter or a knife to trim the edges neatly. -
Assemble the bars:
Lay the rolled-out dough onto the prepared parchment paper. Next, arrange the seasoned apple slices on top of the dough in a neat, even layer, covering the entire surface. -
Bake the apple pie bars:
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the edges are golden and the apples are tender. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool for a few minutes. -
Make the caramel sauce:
While the bars are cooling, prepare the caramel sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the water and granulated sugar over medium heat. Stir occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Once the mixture begins to boil, remove the saucepan from the heat. Gradually add the heavy cream, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the butter until melted and fully incorporated. -
Assemble and serve:
Once the apple pie bars have cooled slightly, slice them into 8 equal pieces. Drizzle the warm caramel sauce over each bar just before serving. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips:
- For extra flavor, you can top the bars with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- If you prefer a thicker crust, you can increase the dough quantity slightly, or bake it longer to get a crispier base.
- The caramel sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, so make a double batch to use for other desserts or as a topping for pancakes!
Enjoy these delicious apple pie bars with a smooth and creamy caramel sauce – a perfect treat for any occasion!
