Caramel Apple Pie Bars

These festive Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a Fall favorite dessert. Buttery shortbread crust meets spiced Granny Smith apple filling and a crunchy oat streusel, and drizzled with caramel. This fall-inspired treat blends cozy seasonal flavors with comforting textures—perfect for Halloween, or a make-ahead Thanksgiving dessert.

Tips for Perfect Caramel Apple Pie Bars

1. Pre-bake the crust — Baking your shortbread crust for 10 minutes sets a firm base before you add apples, ensuring it stays crisp even under a juicy filling.

2. Use tart Granny Smith apples — Their firmness and tartness balance the sweetness of caramel and hold shape during baking.

3. Toss apples with lemon juice — Prevents browning and keeps flavors bright.

4. Keep streusel crunchy — Use cold, cubed butter and mix only until coarse crumbs form to ensure a crisp, melt-in-your-mouth topping.

5. Chill before slicing — Let the bars cool for at least 20 minutes, then refrigerate for 2 hours so they set nicely and cut cleanly.

Shortbread Crust

3/4 cup (12 Tbsp) unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla paste (or extract)

1 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour

Apple Filling

3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)

1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping

1 cup (86g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats

2/3 cup (140g) packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup (62g) all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Homemade caramel or store-bought caramel sauce

Flake salt, for finishing