Dulce de Leche Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Dulce de Leche Apple Pie Bars with a can of dulce de leche in the background.

5 from 2 votes

Dulce de Leche Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Give apple pie a new look with these Dulce de Leche Apple Pie Bars. They’re packed with caramel flavor, tender apples, and a buttery crumble that tastes like fall!

Prep Time45

Cook Time40

Total Time1 25

Course: Brownies & Bars, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: bars

Calories: 165kcal

Author: Andrea

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Crust

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
7 Tbsp butter cold and cut into 1/4" pieces
1 egg yolk
2 1/2 Tbsp ice water

For the Filling

4 apples peeled and thinly sliced
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract

2/3 cup dulce de leche

For the Crumb Topping

1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
To prepare the dough, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, vanilla, and ice water. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture, mixing until combined. Cut the butter into the mixture with a pastry blender until pea-sized clumps form. Knead the dough into a ball, then pat it flat and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, to prepare the filling, combine the apple slices, flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla in a large bowl. Toss together to coat evenly.
After the dough has chilled, roll it out into a 9x13-inch rectangle. Place it in the bottom of the prepared pan.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk together. Using a pastry blender, cut in the cold cubed butter until small clumps form. Pour the apples into the pan over the pastry dough. Press to create an even layer, then spoon the dulce de leche over the top. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the apples. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top begins to brown. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool for 45 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes

-Bars can be made with any kind of dulce de leche. You can usually find it in the baking aisle or in a jar at specialty stores. You can also make it yourself using a can of sweetened condensed milk. If you prefer salted caramel, you can use that too.

STORE the Apple Pie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate them for up to 5 days. For longer storage, FREEZE the bars in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

When ready to enjoy, thaw the bars in the refrigerator overnight. To REHEAT, warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes to restore their crispness and texture.

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