100 | SEPTEMBER 26 • 2024 

F

all always brings back my 
favorite memories. The 
smell of apples baking and 
cinnamon toasting fills the air, 
warming both the house and my 
heart. It’s a clear sign that the 
holidays are just 
around the corner. 
To kick off the 
season, this Caramel 
Apple Bar recipe is 
the perfect blend of 
sweet and comforting 
flavors, making it a 
great treat for family 
gatherings or cozy nights at home.

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust:

½ cup butter, melted

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

¼ tsp. salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

Apple Filling:

2 large apples, peeled and sliced

2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

⅛ tsp. ground nutmeg (or pie spice)

Streusel Topping:

⅓ cup granulated sugar

⅓ cup packed brown sugar

¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

1¼ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup butter, chilled

Caramel Topping: 

Store-bought or homemade caramel 

sauce for drizzling

Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line 
an 8-inch square baking pan 
with parchment paper, ensuring 
enough overhang on all sides 
for easy removal later. Set aside.
For the shortbread crust, in a 
medium bowl, stir together the 
melted butter, granulated sugar, 
vanilla extract and salt. Once 
combined, add the flour and 
stir until a dough forms. Press 
the mixture evenly into your 
prepared pan, creating a solid 
base. Bake for 10-12 minutes, 
until slightly golden.

For the apple filling, toss the 
apple slices in a large bowl 
with flour, sugar, cinnamon and 
nutmeg until evenly coated. Set 
aside. 
To make the streusel, in 
medium bowl, whisk together 
the sugars, cinnamon and flour 
for the streusel. Add the chilled 
butter, cutting it into the dry 
ingredients using two forks (or 
your hands) until the mixture 
resembles coarse crumbs.
To make the bars, remove the 
shortbread crust from the oven. 
Layer the spiced apple slices 
over the warm crust, tightly 
packing them together to ensure 
all the slices fit. Evenly sprinkle 
the streusel topping over the 
apples.
Return the pan to the oven 
and bake for 30-35 minutes, or 
until the streusel turns a light 
golden brown. Remove from 
the oven and allow the bars to 
cool for at least an hour before 
drizzling with caramel sauce.
Melt caramel in a heatproof 
bowl over a double boiler, 
stirring frequently until smooth. 
Drizzle the warm caramel over 
the cooled apple bars.
Enjoy these delicious 
apple pie bars warm, at room 
temperature, or chilled. They 
are perfect for fall gatherings or 
any time you’re craving a classic 
apple pie flavor in an easy-to-eat 
bar form.
Pro Tip: For an extra-indulgent 
treat, serve these apple pie bars 
with a scoop of vanilla ice cream 
or a dollop of whipped cream. 

ARTS&LIFE
WEEKLY RECIPE

Caramel Apple Pie Bars fit the season.
Caramel Apple Pie Bars fit the season.

A Fall 
Favorite 

Pam Turkin
Contributing 
Writer

JARC provides housing and services to enable adults with 
developmental disabilities to live full and meaningful lives.

Shana Tova!

Wishing you a sweet New Year 
from everyone at JARC.

jarc.org | 248.940.2617

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