Let’s start the week off on a high note, shall we?
Every day should include something sweet. Even if it’s just a bite or two. This is my mantra, and I don’t think it will ever change. Everything in moderation, right?
These cardamom caramel apple crumble bars are just the sort of sweet bite I want this time of year. The name is a mouthful – a DELICIOUS mouthful.
These bars. Wow. They are just…incredible. My husband, who doesn’t get overly excited about non-chocolate desserts, just about lost his mind over these.
I’m talking standing over the kitchen sink, straight up SHOVING these into his mouth. Only coming up for air to briefly mumble to me how delicious these are. Sorry, Hun. I know that’s not the most flattering description, but we both know it’s true.
And ya know what? I don’t blame him one bit. These are so, so good and have the most amazing layers of flavor and texture. This is how I want to eat my apples forever and ever.
Think your favorite apple pie in buttery bar form with an extra kick of spice from cardamom and a crumbly, streusely topping. Oh, and healthy drizzle of cardamom-spiced caramel drizzled over top. Yes. Please.
I love cardamom. I think it can be an underutilized spice, especially when it comes to fall baking.
It’s so warm and floral and works wonderfully with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. It adds a little something unexpected to desserts like these apple bars. It works seamlessly and yet makes you go “Hmm, what is that interesting flavor?” It’s an underdog in the spice cabinet, for sure.
These start with an easy crust that doubles as the streusel topping. I based it off of our favorite blueberry lemon bars, and swapped the lemon for warm spices. It is DELISH. I love an extra crumbly bar, and these definitely have a healthy dose of streusel over top. Thick, buttery, sweet streusel.
Next come the apples. I love to use honeycrisp apples here, but any good baking apple will do. You want something firm in texture with a sweet-tart flavor. The apples get coated in a little flour, sugar, lemon juice, and spices – just like apples in a pie would be. They go on top of the baked crust. Then the streusel gets piled on top.
Into the oven they go until everything is caramely, golden brown, and your house smells like the best apple pie you can imagine.
The trick to these bars is to make sure you allow plenty of time for cooling. I recommend cooling them completely to room temperature in the pan and then transferring them to the fridge to set up for a couple hours. There is so much buttery, caramely goodness here, we really need things to firm up before attempting to slice into bars.
Once they are chilled and sliced, you can drizzle as much or as little of the homemade cardamom caramel sauce over top. It is a decadent touch that takes these bars to the next level of yum. HIGHLY recommend!
These are like your perfect apple pie with tons of spiced goodness, cozy caramely flavor, and addicting streusely sweetness. SO, so good.
These are my favorite fall baked good in a long while. I am planning to serve these at Thanksgiving this year, and again and again throughout the holiday season.
They are a serious winner!
Just ask my husband – in between mouthfuls over the sink, that is.
@yestoyolks ✨Cardamom Caramel Apple Crumble Bars ✨ The best version of apple pie bars you can imagine! Warmly spiced with caramel apple flavor throughout. A homemade cardamom caramel drizzled over top sends these to the next level. These bars are heavy on the streusel and the spice, and I wouldn't have it any other way! FULL RECIPE on yestoyolks.com! #foodtiktok #recipes #cookingvideo #cookingtiktok #recipeideas #recipesforyou #cozyfall #cozyfood #ilovecarbs #carbsarelife #carbsaregood #applepiebars #caramelapple #fallbaking ♬ La Vie En Rose – Emily Watts
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Cardamom Caramel Apple Crumble Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 8 larger bars or 12 smaller ones 1x
Description
These Cardamom Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are a taste of heaven! Think your favorite apple pie in buttery, streusely bar form with an extra cozy kick of cardamom! The cardamom-spiced caramel drizzled over top really takes them to the next level. These are the perfect fall dessert!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- Nonstick spray
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Apple Filling:
- 2 1/2 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (roughly 2 large or 3 medium apples)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
For the Cardamom Caramel:
- 1 stick of unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon fleur de sel (or other flaky sea salt)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Spray the paper and pan liberally with nonstick spray.
- Melt the butter in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in the sugars and vanilla.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, spices, baking soda, and salt.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until a soft and smooth dough forms.
- Scoop out roughly 1½ cups of the dough and set aside in a small bowl (this will be the crumble topping). Place the bowl with the crumble in the fridge.
- Press the remaining dough into the prepared pan, spreading it out as evenly as possible.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until set and lightly golden around the edges. Cool the crust for a few minutes before topping with the apple filling.
For the Apple Filling:
In a large bowl, toss the apples with the flour, sugar, spices, and lemon juice until everything is well combined and the apples are evenly coated.
To Assemble:
- Layer the apples on top of the warm crust in the pan, spreading them out as evenly as possible.
- Take the bowl of reserved dough out of the fridge.
- Crumble the dough evenly over top of the apple filling, breaking it up with your fingers as you sprinkle it over.
- Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the crumble is golden brown and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and cool COMPLETELY (this is very important). Once the bars have cooled to room temperature, transfer the pan to the fridge for at least 1 hour before attempting to slice them into bars.
For the Cardamom Caramel:
- While the bars are baking and/or cooling, make the caramel sauce.
- Melt the butter in a small pot over medium heat and add the sugar. Whisk until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Slowly add in the heavy cream, cardamom, and sea salt and whisk constantly until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes, whisking frequently, until the mixture thickens.
- Remove the caramel from the heat and whisk in the vanilla. Use immediately drizzled over the apple bars or transfer to an airtight container for later use.
- The caramel will thicken as it cools. Reheat in a microwave on low in 10-second increments until pourable and warm.
- This recipe will make roughly 1½ cups of caramel, far more than needed for this recipe. It’s delicious over ice cream and will keep in the fridge for weeks.
Notes
- I recommend a good baking apple for this recipe. My favorites are honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or pink lady apples. They are firm and crisp in texture with a tart-sweet flavor.
- These bars can be enjoyed chilled, at room temperature, or warmed up. If you’re feeling extra decadent, serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top (along with the caramel) is heavenly!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Category: desserts
Hi There. I'm Molly. I'm a food-obsessed, self-taught cook and I can't wait to share my passion for all things culinary with you. My love for egg yolks is just the tip of the iceberg!
Yummy.
One of the best desserts I’ve ever put in my mouth. They take a little time but it is so worth it!