Name: Caramel Apple Bars with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened; ½ cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed; 1½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 30 ounces (1½ cans) apple pie filling; ¾ cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed; 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; 6 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut into 1” cubes; ½ cup caramel syrup, plus more for topping

I absolutely love sharing this Caramel Apple Bars with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe because it combines everything I adore about autumn in one sweet treat. The buttery shortbread base, lusciously spiced apple filling, and the crunchy cinnamon streusel topped with gooey caramel creates a dessert that is both cozy and irresistibly delicious. Whenever I make these bars, the entire house fills with the warm scents of cinnamon and baked apple, instantly making me feel at home and ready to indulge.

Why You'll Love This Caramel Apple Bars with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe

What truly makes this recipe stand out for me is the beautiful harmony between flavors and textures. The buttery shortbread crust offers a tender, crumbly foundation that pairs perfectly with the sweet, cinnamon-spiced apple pie filling. Then, the cinnamon streusel topping adds a satisfying crunch and a hint of spice that elevates these bars from ordinary to unforgettable. To finish it all off, the drizzle of caramel syrup introduces a luscious sweetness that ties every bite together beautifully.

Another reason I adore making these bars is how approachable the recipe is. Despite their decadent taste, they come together fairly quickly and don’t require any fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. I appreciate that I can prepare these bars in under an hour, making them a great option for last-minute guests or those cozy weekend baking sessions.

These Caramel Apple Bars with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe feel like the perfect dessert for so many occasions. Whether I’m hosting a fall family gathering, need a sweet contribution for a potluck, or simply want a comforting treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee on a chilly afternoon, these bars never disappoint. Honestly, once you try them, they’ll become your go-to fall dessert too.

Ingredients You'll Need

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a single layer of glossy, orange-tinted apple slices coated in syrup, arranged closely to cover the dish bottom evenly. To the top left, there is a clear glass bowl with a light brown crumbly mixture partially visible. At the top right, a white round cup contains a light brown liquid, likely coffee or tea. The whole setup is placed on a white marbled surface with a black and white textured cloth visible at the bottom right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The ingredients for this recipe are wonderfully simple and straightforward, yet each one plays a crucial role in crafting the perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the rich salted butter that enhances the shortbread’s buttery richness to the aromatic cinnamon in the streusel, every ingredient contributes to the comforting autumn vibe of these bars.

TIP : You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below

Salted Butter: This gives the shortbread and streusel layers their deeply rich and creamy texture.
Dark Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a molasses-like depth of flavor throughout the bars.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the shortbread and streusel, providing structure with a tender crumb.
Apple Pie Filling: The superstar of the filling that brings sweetness, juiciness, and that quintessential apple flavor.
Cinnamon: A warm spice that wakes up the streusel topping with cozy autumn notes.
Caramel Syrup: Adds a luscious sweetness and attractive glossy finish when drizzled over the streusel.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and generously spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened salted butter and dark brown sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and fluffy—this should take about 3 to 5 minutes. This step ensures the base will be tender and buttery.

Step 3: Add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture and beat just until combined. The dough will be crumbly, but that’s exactly what you want for a crisp shortbread layer.

Step 4: Press the shortbread dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Place it in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until it turns lightly golden and looks set.

Step 5: Remove the pan carefully from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 6: Evenly pour the apple pie filling over the baked shortbread base, spreading it gently to cover the entire surface.

Step 7: To prepare the streusel topping, whisk together the dark brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Then cut the cold salted butter into small 1-inch cubes and work it into the dry ingredients using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly and sandy.

Step 8: Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the apple filling, then drizzle the entire pan with half a cup of caramel syrup for that perfect sweet, glowing finish.

Step 9: Bake the assembled bars at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the streusel topping is golden brown and crisp on top.

Step 10: Remove from the oven and let the bars cool slightly before slicing. I like to serve them warm, drizzling extra caramel sauce over each piece for added indulgence.

Servings and Timing

This Caramel Apple Bars with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe yields about 16 generous bars, perfect for sharing at a party or dessert buffet. The prep time is roughly 20 minutes, while the total bake time adds up to around 40 minutes. Including some resting time to let the bars set after baking, you’re looking at about 1 hour total from start to finish. That’s pretty efficient for a dessert this rich and flavorful.

How to Serve This Caramel Apple Bars with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe

The image shows a white plate holding a dessert made of four square pieces, with one piece slightly lifted by a spatula with a wooden handle. The dessert has two main layers: a bottom layer that is light golden and soft, and a top crumbly layer that is textured with small, irregular clusters of a light brown color. A drizzle of caramel sauce spreads unevenly over the top crumbly layer, adding some shine and darker orange hues. The plate rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

When I serve these bars, I love to plate them warm so the caramel drizzle is soft and inviting. They pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a generous dollop of whipped cream to balance out the textures and add a creamy coolness to the warm bars. If you're serving at a gathering, I recommend arranging the bars neatly on a rustic wooden board with an extra jug of caramel sauce on the side for guests to drizzle as they please.

For drink pairings, I gravitate toward hot beverages like chai tea or spiced apple cider, which complement the cinnamon in the streusel and the apple filling perfectly. If you prefer something alcoholic, a lightly chilled Riesling or a warm mulled wine with cloves and orange peel can highlight the dessert’s autumnal flavors wonderfully.

These bars are quite versatile—great for a family dinner dessert, a festive holiday treat, or anytime you want to impress friends without complicated effort. I find that serving them at room temperature lets all the flavors mellow beautifully, but warming them slightly before serving just makes the caramel ooze, and that’s my favorite way to enjoy them.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Caramel Apple Bars with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe because it adapts so well to different tastes and dietary needs. For a gluten-free twist, I substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, and the results are just as satisfying without compromising texture.

If you're vegan or dairy-free, I recommend swapping the salted butter for a vegan butter substitute that holds well during baking. The caramel syrup can also be replaced with a dairy-free caramel sauce or even a drizzle of maple syrup for a natural alternative.

To add extra flavor, I sometimes toss some chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel topping for added crunch and nuttiness. For a little zing, a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg or even a dash of ground ginger in the streusel can elevate the autumn spice profile even further. For a twist on texture, I’ve even baked the streusel separately and sprinkled it on top just before serving, keeping it ultra-crispy.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature if you plan to eat them within 2 days. If you want to keep them a bit longer, placing them in the refrigerator in a sealed container will keep them fresh for up to 5 days. Just make sure the container prevents moisture from getting in to keep that delicious streusel topping crisp.

Freezing

These bars freeze surprisingly well! I like to cut them into individual portions and wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place them all in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can keep in the freezer for up to 2 months without losing much quality. When I’m ready to enjoy one, I simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming the bars gently in a 325-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 10 minutes, which revives the shortbread and brings the caramel back to that melty, luscious state. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the streusel crunchy—microwaves can soften the crumble and make the bars a bit soggy. Oven reheating is the best way to maintain that perfect texture and flavor.

FAQs

Can I use fresh apples instead of canned apple pie filling?

Absolutely! If you prefer fresh apples, peel and slice about 4 to 5 medium apples, then cook them down with sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of lemon juice until soft and syrupy. This homemade filling gives you more control over sweetness and texture, though it requires extra prep time.

Is it possible to make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the bars up to the point of baking and refrigerate them for a day before baking. Just keep them tightly covered so the shortbread base doesn't dry out. Then bake as directed for fresh, warm bars when you're ready.

Can I skip the caramel syrup if I don’t have it on hand?

You can, but the caramel syrup really enhances the flavor and presentation. If you want a simple substitute, drizzle some honey or maple syrup over the streusel before baking for sweetness, though it won’t have quite the same rich caramel flavor.

How do I get a crunchy streusel topping without it burning?

Keep a close eye on the bars during the last 5 minutes of baking. If the streusel starts browning too quickly, you can tent the pan loosely with foil. This allows the topping to crisp up without burning.

Can I make smaller bars or bars in a different pan size?

Definitely! If you use a smaller pan, the bars will be thicker and require a longer bake time, so adjust accordingly and test with a toothpick. For larger pans, the bars will be thinner and may bake faster, so watch them closely to avoid overbaking.

Conclusion

I genuinely can’t recommend this Caramel Apple Bars with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe enough. It brings that perfect balance of buttery, sweet, and spicy right into your kitchen with minimal fuss, making every bite a cozy celebration of autumn flavors. I hope you give it a try and enjoy baking and sharing it as much as I do—it’s truly a favorite that never fails to delight!