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Salted Caramel Apple Oat Bars with Brown Butter Crust

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These bars combine a nutty brown butter crust with a juicy apple filling and a salted caramel drizzle, creating a cozy, sweet-salty treat perfect for fall and beyond.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks or 227g) unsalted butter, browned and cooled slightly
  • 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (180g) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 ¼ cups (150g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced (Fuji or Honeycrisp preferred)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ tsp sea salt

Instructions

  1. Brown the Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir continuously as it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
  2. Make the Crust Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar and eggs until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and cooled browned butter. In a separate bowl, mix oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet until crumbly dough forms.
  3. Prepare the Apple Filling: Toss sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
  4. Assemble the Bars: Press two-thirds of the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of a parchment-lined 9×13 inch baking pan. Spread apple filling evenly over the crust.
  5. Top the Bars: Crumble remaining crust mixture over the apples, allowing apples to peek through.
  6. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake bars for 35-40 minutes until topping is golden and apples are bubbly. The edges should pull slightly away from the pan and the center should feel set but not hard.
  7. Make the Salted Caramel: While bars bake, combine granulated sugar and 2 tbsp water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let sugar dissolve and turn deep amber without stirring (swirl pan gently). Remove from heat and whisk in butter until melted. Slowly whisk in heavy cream (careful of bubbling). Stir in sea salt and let cool slightly.
  8. Finish and Serve: Once bars are completely cooled (at least 1 hour), drizzle salted caramel generously over the top. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Use a sharp knife dipped in warm water for clean cuts. Brown butter carefully to avoid burning. Let bars cool completely before drizzling caramel for best texture. Parchment paper helps with easy removal. For gluten-free, substitute flour with almond or gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use coconut oil and coconut cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: salted caramel, apple oat bars, brown butter crust, fall dessert, easy baking, homemade bars, caramel drizzle

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/salted-caramel-apple-oat-bars-recipe-easy-homemade-brown-butter-crust/