Caramel Apple Bars

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I really wanted to call these bars Caramel Apple & White Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Bars

Caramel Apple Bars

But that was kind of a mouthful.

The bars are a mouthful, too.  In the best possible way, I assure you.

Caramel Apple Bars

So I left the title as Caramel Apple Bars

Caramel Apple Bars

In my world, caramel + apples just go together

And so does PB + apples

apples

And let’s face it, white chocolate goes with everything for me

If you’re not a white chocolate fan you’re crazy you can omit the white chocolate chips in this recipe or use another kind of chips like dark or semisweet or peanut butter chips

Caramel Apple Bars

These bars combine so many of my favorite and just-go-together flavors which is why I was tempted to list each flavor in the title.

While these bars bake, the brown sugar + butter = caramel created

Caramel Apple Bars

Notice the drinkable caramel sauce drippy caramel sauce at the bottom of the bars, both from the butter and brown sugar and from the addition of caramel sauce on top.  I never said these were low sugar or low fat

Caramel Apple Bars

But they are gluten free and vegan as long as you make a couple easy adaptations.

The apples soften and get all juicy and bubbly

Caramel Apple Bars

And the white chocolate and peanut butter melts

Creating bars that taste like caramel apples

Caramel Apple BarsI like these bars better than caramel apples because you don’t have to walk around gnawing on a huge piece of fruit that’s wobbly on a stick with caramel sauce all over your face.

Although there are worse problems to have in life than caramel sauce on your chin.

 Like not making any (vegan) peanut butter soft serve ice cream before serving these.  <— I forgot

But it would have been fabulous with them.  Next time.

Caramel Apple Bars

 

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Caramel Apple Bars (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

1/2 c applesauce (I used 1 small/medium apple with the peel on that I blended in the Vita)

1/2 c peanut butter

1/4 c butter, softened (or margarine)

2 c oats (whole rolled, not quick cook.  See this post at the bottom for a discussion on oats & gluten)

1 c brown sugar, packed

1/2 c white sugar

1 tbsp cinnamon (reduce/increase to taste, if desired)

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 c apples, diced & peeled

3/4 to 1 c white chocolate chips (use vegan white chocolate chips if desired, or regular dark/semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, etc.)

1/4 c to 1/2 c caramel sauce (I used ice cream topping caramel sauce or use Dark Rum Caramel Sauce.  There are many vegan caramel sauce recipes online; google and research them if desired)

Optional: Add raisins, dates, dried fruit, nuts, as desired in 1/4 to 1/3 c quantity

Directions: Combine applesauce, PB, butter in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine them.  Then add oats, sugars, cinnamon, and vanilla extract and stir.  Then fold in diced apples and white chocolate chips.  Spread batter (it will be pretty moist) into a foil-lined and spayed 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pan.  Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.  The bars may still look underdone, but that’s ok because they will continue to set up as they cool.   They will be bubbling rapidly upon removing them from the oven.  Let the bubbling stop (about 5 minutes) and then carefully drizzle the caramel sauce over the top of the bars.  Allow bars to to cool very well before slicing.  I suggest popping them into the freezer for 15-30 minutes if you’re in a hurry.  Store extras on the countertop, refrigerator, or in the freezer for long term storage.

Notes: All measurements are approximate and if you love peanut butter, apples, or caramel, add a bit more.  Reduce the sugar amounts if you wish.  Omit or change the type of chocolate chips used.  Add other spices such as pumpkin pie spice, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, etc. if desired.

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A Visual Guide

Gather your ingredients

Ingredients Caramel Apple Bars

Combine applesauce, PB, butter & stir.

Then add the oats, sugars, cinnamon, and vanilla extract and stir.

Caramel Apple Bars ingredients

Add the diced apples & white chocolate chips

Caramel Apple Bars ingredients

Pour mixture into a foil-lined and spayed pan

Caramel Apple Bars ingredients

Bake and allow to stop bubbling.

Then drizzle caramel sauce over the bars.

Allow to cool well before slicing & serving.

Caramel Apple Bars

The edges on these are actually my favorite part

Caramel Apple BarsChewy with some definite texture as the brown sugar and caramel sauce harden up

The bars are like what I call perfect brownies: chewy edges with soft middles, and dense (not cakey, airy, or light)

Caramel Apple Bars

I am big on texture and the way it feels when I am chewing it is just as important as taste.  Well, almost as important.

 

I am digging the translucent apples.  Tender, warm, oven-softened fruit can be so comforting.

Caramel Apple Bars

And brown sugar makes everything more caramely and chewier and gives baked goods that want-to-sink-your-teeth-into-it texture,  which is always a bonus.

 

Other bonuses: Gluten Free, Vegan (adaptable), One Bowl, One Pan, No Mixer, Fast Cleanup

Caramel Apple Bars

Most of all: A hit with the fam

Skylar

Related posts you may enjoy…

Dark Rum Caramel Sauce

Dark Rum Caramel Sauce

Caramelized Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Chickpea “Peanuts”

 
Caramelized Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Chickpea “Peanuts”

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

Comments

  1. Hi! These bars sound yummy but I don’t like super sweet desserts. Would they turn out okay if I greatly reduced the sugar in them – maybe by half?

    1. I have only made it as written so cannot say for absolute sure how that will work and my guess is not so great.

  2. So, I’m wondering if I use Kraft caramels and try to melt them, what measurement should I use?  Have a friend brought me Kraft caramels from the U.S. (to Mexico) and I’m searching for  delicious recipes to use them with apples!  Any suggestions?  

    1. I really don’t know because that’s not how I made this recipe. I would start melting at least a couple dozen with a splash of cream and see how it goes.

  3. I don’t like to make bars that are too sweet, just sweet enough. Do you think these would still work without any type of chip added?

    1. Yes they’d be fine w/out the chips. And they are a fairly sweet bar just so you know that upfront and they are excellent – love these!