Pumpkin seems to be popping up everywhere, but it isn’t the only thing in season. Apple desserts are another yummy and comforting fall favorite. From pies to muffins and everything in between, there’s something for every taste. If you’re in the mood for a unique apple treat, these Caramel Apple Cookie Bars are sure to hit the spot.

The caramel apple cookie bar is made from a sweetened dough base, but the spiced cinnamon apples are the real star. The apples complement this bar so well, plus they’re easy to make. Most of the ingredients are kitchen staples, so you likely already have most of them ready to go. Who doesn’t love a recipe that doesn’t require a lengthy shopping trip!?!

Making the Caramel Sauce
If you’ve never made homemade caramel sauce, it can feel daunting. Caramel sauce is temperamental and requires close attention to detail. You definitely don’t want any distractions while making the sauce. To make the sauce:
- Place 1/2 cup of sugar into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir the sugar constantly until it turns into clumps and then melts into a thick, amber liquid.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the butter, stirring quickly but carefully until it is melted and incorporated. Bubbling is normal.
- Return the heat to medium and slowly pour in the 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream. The mixture will steam and bubble rapidly. Stir until the heavy whipping cream is thoroughly mixed in.
- Let the caramel sauce boil for one minute before removing from the heat and setting aside until it cools slightly.
You want the sauce to be thin enough to drizzle but cool enough to thicken slightly. If you let it become too thick, you can always thin it again by reheating in a microwave-safe bowl in 15-second increments and stirring until it is the desired consistency.





FAQ
Can I use any apple variety? Yes. I prefer Granny Smith apples for apple desserts. I feel like the tartness with the sugar in the recipe pairs really well. However, if you prefer a sweeter apple, any type can be substituted.
What if I burn my caramel sauce? You’ll have to start over. Seriously. Once your caramel is burnt, it is unsalvageable. While homemade caramel sauce can be tricky and temperamental, keeping a close eye on it reduces the likelihood of things going wrong. Plus, the result is so worth it! Nothing beats homemade caramel.
How do I know if my caramel sauce is burnt? A strong, bitter smell, dark or black liquid, or excessive smoking are all signs that your caramel sauce has burnt. Burning can happen in a matter of seconds, so it’s important to monitor your sauce and start adding the butter and heavy whipping cream as soon as the sugar has melted and turned an amber color.
Can I freeze my caramel apple cookie bars? Yes! Simply wrap them in Saran Wrap and put them in an airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

Ring in fall with this scrumptious Caramel Apple Cookie Bar. Packed with tart apples and spiced to perfection, these bars give off warm, cozy vibes just in time for autumn. BASE Preheat oven to 325° F. Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a small bowl, add the apple chunks, cornstarch, apple spice, and cinnamon. Toss lightly until the apples are coated. In a larger bowl, add the melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir the mixture until well incorporated. Stir in the salt and baking soda, then slowly add the flower. The mixture will get pretty thick, so keep stirring until everything is mixed together well. Scoop the dough into the prepared pan, pressing it throughout the pan into an even layer Bake for 27-30 minutes or until a light golden color and a toothpick comes out clean CARAMEL SAUCE While the bars are baking, prepare the caramel sauce by placing 1/2 cup of sugar in a small saucepan. Turn stovetop to a medium heat. Stir the sugar continuously until it starts to clump and eventually melt into a liquid. The color should be amber. ( This process took about eight minutes, but the time can vary depending on heat, pan, and stove. Make sure you keep close eye on. ) Reduce the heat to low and add the butter, stirring carefully until completely melted. Bubbling and some splatter is normal, so be careful not to burn yourself. Slowly add the vanilla and heavy whipping cream, stirring until it is incorporated into the sauce. Sizzling, bubbling, and steam are all normal. Once the heavy whipping cream is stirred in, return the heat to medium and let the mixture boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let sit to cool and thicken just slightly. FINAL STEP Once the bars are out of the oven and have cooled for about 10 minutes, drizzle the caramel rapidly over the top of the bars using a spoon. If the sauce has thickened too much, heat it back up in a microwave-safe bowl in 15-second increments. It just needs to be thin enough to fall off of the spoon into a drizzle pattern. Cut into 24 even squares once bars are completely cooled. OPTIONAL: Sprinkle coarse sea salt on top of the caramel for delicious a salted caramel finishing touch. The caramel sauce recipe makes a lot. You will likely have leftovers unless you choose to coat the entire top of the bars with sauce. Leftover caramel sauce can be warmed and used as an apple dip or ice cream topping. Caramel Apple Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
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11 Comments
Sarah | Well and Full
September 7, 2025 at 2:26 pmThese cookie bars are INCREDIBLE! Perfect for those early season apples 🙂
Ashley Kosky
September 8, 2025 at 9:55 amYes! And they’re not too sweet, either. So glad you enjoyed them!
Liz
September 8, 2025 at 11:33 amThese apple bars were amazing! I loved the drizzle of caramel to finish them off. SO delicious.
Ashley Kosky
September 9, 2025 at 6:07 pmThe caramel definitely makes them feel complete. I’m glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for stopping by!
Krystle Smith
September 8, 2025 at 8:45 pmThe warm, spiced apples with that buttery dough was so comforting, and the caramel drizzle on top just made it extra cozy. What I really like is that it uses such simple ingredients, but still tastes something fancy you’d pick up at a bakery.
Ashley Kosky
September 9, 2025 at 6:06 pmI’m so glad you enjoyed them! They definitely give off comforting fall vibes! Have you tried them warmed up with vanilla ice cream? Thanks for visiting!
Lora
September 9, 2025 at 6:36 amAny apple dessert is always my favorite and these bars are great! The caramel drizzle makes them even more special!
Ashley Kosky
September 9, 2025 at 6:07 pmCaramel and apples were a match made for one another! Glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for visiting!
Leslie
September 9, 2025 at 3:35 pmThese were incredible!! So indulgent and had the perfect caramel/apple/fall flavors! Totally keeping this one!
Ashley Kosky
September 9, 2025 at 6:08 pmI’m glad the recipe was a winner! Apples and caramel are the perfect fall treat. Thanks for visiting.
Greta
September 9, 2025 at 11:35 pmThis dessert is phenomenal. Especially the caramel sauce. Never made it before so I was exited to try it. Thanks