Save to Pinterest Chewy cookie bars layered with cinnamon-spiced apples and gooey caramel, finished with a buttery crumble topping. Perfect for autumn or any time you crave comforting fall flavors.
I baked these spiced caramel apple cookie bars for our first chilly evening of the season, and they quickly became everyone's favorite treat. The aroma of cinnamon and caramel made the whole kitchen feel extra warm and inviting.
Ingredients
- For the Cookie Base: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened, 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, packed, 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, 2 1/2 cups (310 g) all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt
- For the Spiced Apple Filling: 3 medium apples (about 400 g), peeled, cored, diced, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/3 cup (65 g) light brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground cloves, 1 tbsp lemon juice
- For the Caramel Layer: 2/3 cup (180 g) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- For the Crumble Topping: 3/4 cup (95 g) all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup (70 g) light brown sugar, 1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter, cold and diced, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prep and Preheat:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Make Cookie Base:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Assemble Base:
- Spread about 2/3 of the dough evenly in the prepared pan, reserving the rest for later.
- Prepare Apple Filling:
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and lemon juice. Cook for 5–7 minutes until apples are tender and liquid is slightly reduced. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Layer Apples:
- Spread the spiced apples evenly over the cookie base.
- Add Caramel:
- Drizzle the caramel sauce over the apples.
- Top with Dough:
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer.
- Make Crumble:
- In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a fork or pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the cookie dough.
- Bake and Cool:
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until top is golden brown and set. Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
Save to Pinterest These cookie bars always remind me of baking with my mom on crisp weekends. We shared laughs while sneaking bites of caramel as the bars cooled on the counter.
Required Tools
9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan, mixing bowls, electric mixer or hand whisk, skillet, spatula, parchment paper, pastry cutter or fork
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), milk (butter), eggs. Caramel sauce may contain dairy ingredients; always double-check if sensitive to allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories: 320 , Total Fat: 14 g , Carbohydrates: 47 g , Protein: 3 g
Save to Pinterest Let bars cool completely before slicing for neat edges. Enjoy every comforting bite as autumn flavors fill your kitchen.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What apples work best for these bars?
Granny Smith offers tartness, while Honeycrisp gives a sweeter flavor. Use your preference for balance.
- → Can I add nuts to the bars?
Yes! Mixing in chopped pecans or walnuts adds crunch and extra flavor to either the apple layer or crumble.
- → How can I serve these bars?
Serve slightly warm with vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert, or simply enjoy them at room temperature.
- → How should I store leftovers?
Keep in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
- → Can I use homemade caramel sauce?
Absolutely! Both homemade and store-bought caramel sauce work well, so choose what you love most.
- → Is this dessert vegetarian?
Yes, it uses butter and eggs, but contains no meat. Check caramel sauce or substitute for vegan versions if needed.