Caramel Apple Cookie Bars (Printable)

Soft bars with tender apples and rich caramel create a sweet, cozy autumn dessert delight.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cookie Base

01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Apple Filling

09 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
10 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Caramel Layer

12 - 3/4 cup soft caramels, unwrapped
13 - 2 tablespoons milk

# How-To:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
04 - Reserve 1/2 cup of the dough, then press the remaining dough evenly into the prepared pan to create the base layer.
05 - In a small bowl, combine diced apples with granulated sugar and cinnamon. Spread the mixture evenly over the cookie base.
06 - Place caramels and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and pourable, about 1 minute.
07 - Drizzle the melted caramel evenly over the apple layer.
08 - Crumble the reserved dough into small pieces and distribute it over the caramel layer.
09 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until the top is golden and set. Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy to make with simple ingredients
  • Family-friendly dessert perfect for gatherings
02 -
  • Caramel candies may contain soy or additional allergens—check labels carefully
  • Pears can be used in place of apples for a delicious variation
03 -
  • Add 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the apple layer for crunch
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
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