These Caramel Apple Crumb Bars turn apple crisp into easy handheld slices, with a crisp pastry-style base, soft cinnamon apples, gooey caramel, and a sweet crumb topping. They’re simpler than apple pie, made with vegan caramel sauce, and best cooled completely so they slice cleanly.
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The Key Things to Know About These Apple Crumb Bars
These bars have the same cozy apple pie flavor, but with less work and no pastry dough to roll out. Make sure to slice the apples thinly so they soften properly and bake into the caramel, otherwise the filling can stay too firm while the crumble is already browned.
Cooling the pan completely before cutting is just as important here as it is with other bar-style desserts like Pecan Pie Bars, Lemon Blueberry Rolls, and Apple Cinnamon Scones, because warm bars will taste great but won’t hold their shape as neatly. Store-bought vegan caramel works well, and using a tart apple like Granny Smith or Braeburn helps balance the sweetness so the bars taste cozy and rich without becoming too heavy. These are crispest the day they’re baked, so add the final caramel drizzle just before serving if you want the best texture.
Instructions
Follow along with this step-by-step guide to make your Caramel Apple Crumb Bars. You’ll find all the exact times, temperatures, and measurements in the recipe card below.
Step One: Make the base mixture, then press it firmly into the lined pan so it forms an even layer.
Step Two: Mix the crumble until small pieces form. It should still look a little dry and sandy in places, with no large clumps.
Step Three: Peel and thinly slice the apples, then toss them with the cinnamon mixture so they’re evenly coated.
Step Four: Arrange the apples over the base with as few gaps as possible, then drizzle over the caramel and scatter the crumble on top.
Step Five: Bake until the top is browned and the bars look set, then cool completely in the pan before removing and slicing.
Storage
Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, ideally without the extra caramel drizzle so the topping holds its texture better. They are best served chilled or at room temperature; if you prefer them slightly warm, reheat briefly in the microwave and add the caramel drizzle just before serving.
Expert Tips
If your vegan caramel sauce is thick, warm it briefly until it’s pourable before drizzling it over the apples. This helps it spread evenly through the filling instead of sitting in thick patches.
FAQ
They were likely still warm. Let them cool completely in the pan so the apple and caramel layer has time to set before cutting.
The apple slices were probably too thick. Thin slices soften more evenly and bake into the caramel instead of staying crisp in the center.
Yes, store-bought vegan caramel works well. If it’s very thick, warm it briefly so it drizzles evenly over the apples.
Serving Suggestions and More Recipes
Serve these bars chilled, at room temperature, or slightly warmed with an extra drizzle of vegan caramel. For a more dessert-style serving, add a scoop of Vegan Coconut Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
For more cozy apple bakes, try Rhubarb Apple Crumble, Apple Cinnamon Scones, or Apple Muffins. If you want another sliceable dessert bar for sharing, Vegan Pecan Pie Bars would be the closest match.
Caramel Apple Crumb Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Base
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 150 g
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar 25 g
- 5 tbsp neutral oil 75 ml
- 2 tbsp water 30 ml
- 3/4 tsp baking powder 3 g
- 1/4 tsp salt 2 g
Filling
- 3–4 pieces medium apples peeled and thinly sliced (350 g)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice 15 ml
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 g
- 1/4 cup vegan caramel sauce plus more for serving (60 ml)
Crumble
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar 50 g
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 60 g
- 2 tbsp neutral oil 30 ml
- 2 tsp water 10 ml
- 1/4 tsp salt 2 g
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 0.5 g
Instructions
- Grease or line an 8” x 8”/20 x 20cm baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350° F/175C.
Make base:
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Add the oil and water. Stir until a crumbly mixture forms.
- Press mixture into pan. Pat into an even layer.
Make the crumble:
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the oil and water and stir until just combined into small crumbles but still a bit powdery.
- Toss further with your fingers until slightly larger crumbs form (no larger than a pea).
Make filling:
- Peel and thinly slice the apples.
- Toss the sliced apples with lemon juice and cinnamon.
Assemble:
- Arrange on the base in an even layer with as few gaps as possible.
- Drizzle 1/4 cup/60ml caramel sauce over the apples.
- Sprinkle the crumble evenly on top of the apples.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until set and browned on top.
- Cool in pan completely before removing and cutting. Drizzle the cut slices with more caramel before serving.
- Best the same day. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Best if stored without the caramel drizzle. The crumble will soften during storage.
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