Caramel Apple Dessert Bars with Oat Crust

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Sweet and tart caramel apple bars with a buttery oat crust and cinnamon-spiced apple filling, perfect for fall gatherings or anytime treats. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, layers rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 45 min Serves 12 American cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt.
  2. Step 2: Pour in 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter and mix with a wooden spoon until crumbly and evenly moistened.
  3. Step 3: Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9x9-inch baking pan to form the crust.
  4. Step 4: In another bowl, toss 2 cups peeled and diced apple with 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice until coated.
  5. Step 5: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust layer.
  6. Step 6: Drizzle 1/2 cup caramel sauce evenly over the apple layer.
  7. Step 7: Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over the caramel and apples.
  8. Step 8: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
  9. Step 9: Let cool completely before cutting into 12 bars. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

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