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Apple Pie Bars with Salted Peanut Butter Caramel


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  • Author: Judy Goudy
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 9 bars 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Warm spiced apple pie bars topped with a crumbly oat layer and drizzled with salted peanut butter caramel—comfort food with a twist.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

  • 1 ½ cups gluten-free oat flour
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed) or coconut oil for a vegan option
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Apple Filling:

  • 4 medium apples (I like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder

For the Crumble Topping:

  • 1 cup gluten-free oats
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter or coconut oil (melted)

For the Salted Peanut Butter Caramel:

  • ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Prepare the Crust:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
    • In a mixing bowl, combine oat flour, almond flour, salt, and cinnamon.
    • Add cold butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix until crumbly.
    • Press the mixture firmly into the baking pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Set aside.
  • Make the Apple Filling:
    • Toss diced apples with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch in a large bowl.
    • Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust.
  • Create the Crumble Topping:
    • Mix oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
    • Drizzle melted butter over the mixture and stir until it forms a crumbly texture.
    • Sprinkle over the apple layer.
  • Bake the Bars:
    • Bake the assembled bars for 35-40 minutes, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden. Let cool completely.
  • Prepare the Caramel:
    • In a small saucepan over low heat, combine peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and salt. Stir until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
  • Drizzle and Serve:
    • Once the bars are cool, drizzle the peanut butter caramel over the top. Slice into squares or rectangles and enjoy!

Notes

Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or just indulging in a treat that’s equal parts nostalgic and inventive.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg