Ingredients
Scale
- For the Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- For the Apple Filling:
- 6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- For the Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- For the Drizzle:
- 1/2 cup high-quality caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- A pinch of sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. In a large bowl or food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse or use a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake the crust for 15 minutes until it is just slightly golden around the edges.
- While the crust pre-bakes, toss your thinly sliced apples in a large mixing bowl with the sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Ensure every apple slice is evenly coated with the spices and flour. Once the crust comes out of the oven, spread the apple mixture evenly over the warm base, pressing down slightly to eliminate large air gaps.
- In the same bowl you used for the crust (no need to wash it), combine the oats, brown sugar, and flour. Cut in the remaining cold butter until the topping is crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the apple layer. Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the streusel is golden brown and bubbling.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. This is crucial because the bars need time to set before slicing. Once cooled, warm your caramel sauce slightly and drizzle it back and forth across the entire slab. Sprinkle with a touch of sea salt if desired. Slice into 24 squares and serve.
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes