These gooey Caramel Apple Bars are loaded with fruit, nuts, and caramel. Try a warm square topped with vanilla ice cream for an easy fall dessert!
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So, the other day I stopped at the grocery store for something. I walked in the door and down a few aisles before realizing that I had absolutely no idea what I was there for.
The funny thing is that I still don’t remember what I needed. It must not have been that important.
I decided to just head down the baking aisle because I wanted too. Not because I needed anything. The pantry shelves are fully stocked in chocolate chips and candy. But you never know what you might need, or what you might find that just has to come home with you.
Caramel Apple Bars
I am so glad that a spice cake and a container of caramel dip jumped into my cart while I was wandering the store. I really didn’t have any ideas of what I was going to make. But then my mind started to go a mile a minute thinking about all the fall dessert ideas I could make with the apples that were in my refrigerator.
This Caramel Apple Bundt Cake and these Cinnamon Sugar Apple Donut Holes are usually my go to apple desserts, but I wanted to do something different this time.
These apple pie bars are like a 7 layer bar except you use caramel dip instead of the traditional sweetened condensed milk. I am so glad that my husband had a meeting at the church on the same day I made these.
It would have been very dangerous for me to keep these Caramel Apple Bars in my kitchen for very long. They were so delicious and gooey!
Trust me and try one of these easy apple bars with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on it!!! You are welcome!
Tips for making Caramel Apple Bars:
Combine the dry cake mix, butter, and apple cider until a soft dough forms.
Spray your hands with nonstick spray and press half the dough into the bottom of a greased 9×13 pan.
Spread the caramel apple dip over the dough in the pan.
Sprinkle the top of the dip with apple chunks and chopped walnuts.
Drop the rest of the dough in small pieces evenly over the top.
Bake and cool. Drizzle the top of the apple bars with the glaze.
Try to resist the urge to devour the entire pan of Caramel Apple Bars in one sitting!
More easy apple dessert ideas for you to try:
- Peanut Butter Apple Pizza
- Apple Nachos
- Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cheesecake Danish
- Toffee Apple Pie Cookies
- Apple Blondies with Caramel Buttercream
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Caramel Apple Bars recipe and video:
Caramel Apple Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
*The post and recipe for these Caramel Apple Bars was originally posted on September 25, 2013. The photos and post has been updated and republished on September 17, 2018.
[email protected] says
September 25, 2013 at 8:14 PMOh my gosh I’m dying. I MUST MAKE THESE! Genius.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 4:12 PMThanks Tiffany! Seriously, you will be in love with them if you make them! 😉
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
September 25, 2013 at 8:26 PMOMG these look amazing Jocelyn! I am glad you remember how to bake, cause now you can send me some, hint hint,.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 4:13 PMHaha! Only if you send me some of those delish blondies!! 😉
[email protected] of Laughter says
September 25, 2013 at 9:05 PMThis looks so delicious Jocelyn! You are so amazing! Angie xo
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 4:44 PMThank you so much Angie!! 😉
Nancy [email protected] says
September 25, 2013 at 10:04 PMThese look wonderful Jocelyn! You guys have me all motivated in apple week that I have been using apples in the kitchen all day! I always wonder the baking isle just because it gives me inspiration!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 4:45 PMThank you Nancy!! The baking isle is definitely one of my homes away from home! 😉
Christy Denney says
September 25, 2013 at 10:06 PMJocelyn,
These look so good. I think I have all of the stuff and want to make these for Bunko tomorrow. Yum!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 4:43 PMThat’s awesome!! You will adore these, I’m sure! Thanks Christy!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 4:43 PMWhoops,. I mean that I hope you DID adore these! 😉
Tieghan says
September 25, 2013 at 10:10 PMHa!! I have so been there! I think it means our brains our overworked. Too much recipe development! 🙂
These bars look awesome, so glad you remembered how to bake!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 4:50 PMHaha, too much recipe development! I love it! I’m claiming that next time I forget something! 😉 Thanks Tieghan!
Happy Valley Chow says
September 25, 2013 at 10:24 PMThose look scrumdiddlyumptious! Perfect dessert for this time of year, apples are so fantastic right now!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 4:49 PMHaha, this comment put a smile on my face! 😉 Thanks Eric!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
September 25, 2013 at 11:19 PMOh my gracious…I forget EVERYTHING lately!! I’m loving apple week by the way…PINNING these!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:07 PMI hear ya, sometimes I think is forget my own head if it wasn’t attached!! 😉 Thank you so much Ashley!!
Marcie says
September 26, 2013 at 1:01 AMBetween you and and Aimee, apple week is going to kill me! I just want to reach into the screen and grab one of these right now. Spice cake, apples, and caramel? Too good to be true.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:08 PMHaha!! Did you survive? 😉 Thanks Marcie!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
September 26, 2013 at 2:26 AMSoft, gooey perfection! I’d love a bite of one. I need your neopolitan fudge recipe. I’m still thinking about it – best dessert I ate all weekend. Not kidding!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:10 PMAwwww, thank you Averie!! I will have to get that recipe to you soon!!
Vicki Bensinger says
September 26, 2013 at 6:54 AMWow what great recipes, they all sound delicious. These apple bars are so simple to make and semi-homemade which is even better. Like you, I’d better make these on a day that I have someplace to go, otherwise I’m sure I will devour them. Great recipes!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:11 PMThank you so much Vicki!! 😉
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
September 26, 2013 at 8:44 AMSubbing caramel apple dip for SCM might just be the most genius thing ever. (Could you do it with sauce or would it be too runny?) Think of all the possibilities! These look so gooey (aka perfect!:) and I love all those flavors together!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:29 PMThank you Mary!! I think it would work for sauce too. 😉
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
September 26, 2013 at 8:57 AMmmm come to mama! Seriously these would be so good right now.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:30 PMHaha! Thank you Rachel!! 🙂
Stephanie @ PlainChicken says
September 26, 2013 at 9:28 AMSpice cake & caramel = winner! These look delicious!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:31 PMThank you so much Stephanie!! 😉
Ashton says
September 26, 2013 at 10:23 AMSo yummy looking! I adore all 7-layer bar type desserts!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:31 PMI do too!! Thank you so much Ashton!! 🙂
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
September 26, 2013 at 11:04 AMOh, these sound amazing! Love the gooey caramel center!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:05 PMThank you Jessica!! 😉
Joanne Cuny says
September 26, 2013 at 11:46 AMLove your recipe today! Is there a way to print out the recipe with an attached picture? Thanks for all the great ideas!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 26, 2013 at 1:37 PMI am so glad you like the recipes. Let me look into adding the picture to the recipe card.
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
September 26, 2013 at 12:16 PMWalking down the baking aisle without a mission can be a dangerous thing : -) These look amazing.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:04 PMVery dangerous!! 😉 Thank you Laura!!
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff says
September 26, 2013 at 12:51 PMI can see the deliciousness and gooeyness in your photos! Thank you for remembering to give us the recipe 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:04 PMHaha, you’re very welcome!! Thank you Brenda!!
Emily ~So Domesticated~ says
September 26, 2013 at 5:09 PMOne word… yum! These look unbelievable!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:03 PMThank you so much Emily!! 😉
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
September 26, 2013 at 6:23 PMHey there could always be something you missed in the baking aisle! ALWAYS. It’s like my little home within the grocery store heehee so I always gravitate there, and now I want to go there and get some cake mix to make these bars! Caramel, apples, easy-to-grab-and-go bars? I’ll take a million.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:02 PMExactly!! 😉 Thank you Jess!!
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar says
September 27, 2013 at 9:59 AMThese look amazing! That gooey center of caramel – I’m dying! Must. make.
I can never seem to avoid the baking aisle – it just calls to me! But then I always come home with stuff I didn’t need but want to bake something with. A good kind of problem to have I guess. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:02 PMThank you Lindsay!! 😉 I think it’s a very good problem to have!
Chels R. says
September 28, 2013 at 10:57 PMWOW! I don’t mind if I do!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:00 PMHaha, thanks Chels!! 🙂
Carla says
September 29, 2013 at 12:06 PMHa I do the same thing in the baking aisle! “There’s nothing written on my list, but I better check the baking aisle just in case.” These caramel apple bars are just calling my name….
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 11:00 PMI always tell my hubby that I’m not the only one!! 😉 Thank you Carla!!
Dina says
September 29, 2013 at 9:52 PMthey look yummy!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 30, 2013 at 10:59 PMThank you Dina!! 😉
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
October 2, 2013 at 12:09 AMThese are dessert perfection!
Stephanie @ Macaroni and Cheesecake says
October 2, 2013 at 4:34 PMThese look like the perfect apple treat and I love that they start with a cake mix!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
October 3, 2013 at 1:03 PMThese bars look absolutely fantastic Jocelyn!! Gorgeous!
Gina says
October 3, 2013 at 1:09 PMOh my- I know my family would just LOVE these.
[email protected] says
October 3, 2013 at 1:15 PMOh wow….these looks so perfectly gooey and tasty! Yum!
Ginger says
October 4, 2013 at 12:02 AMThese look sooooo good! 🙂
[email protected] says
October 6, 2013 at 2:05 AMThese look incredible, Jocelyn!! Mmmmm!
Ann says
October 10, 2013 at 1:00 PMWhat type of apples did you use/or would work? Also do you think putting down a layer of caramel bits would work instead of the apple dip? Im looking forward to making these this weekend, they look delicious
Jocelyn Brubaker says
October 10, 2013 at 1:23 PMI used the bagged Crunch Pak apples for these bars. And yes, the caramel bits would work too. I actually made it this way my second time. You need to melt the caramel bits down with some milk though, so it is creamy.
Mackenzie says
October 11, 2013 at 5:28 PMMore caramel apple deliciousness here! These look perfect! I am doing some apple baking this weekend and might need to add these to our list! Gorgeous!
Jenn @ Once Upon a Tier says
October 12, 2013 at 3:55 PMI made these and they were so delicious!! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
October 12, 2013 at 8:52 PMI am so glad you made and liked these bars. They are my favorite ones right now 🙂
Kristen Duke says
October 13, 2013 at 10:34 PMThese look delicious!! I’m a big fan of caramel apple anything 🙂
Aubrey Z says
October 23, 2013 at 11:41 AMI bake every week for the O-line of the Wheaton College football team. These were this week’s treats. Not sure how they would be received since I usually make cookies, brownies or cupcakes. The feedback was surprising! Some of the guys said it was the best thing they have ever tasted, while others decribed it as Christmas! Definitely will be making this again!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
October 23, 2013 at 11:57 AMYay!!! I am so glad the guys liked these bars. They are one thing that I actually make over and over!!!
Ann says
October 29, 2013 at 1:50 PMFor some reason mine didn’t firm up properly. Family loved them but I will tweak if I make again. Maybe use my own caramel…thicker and no artificial taste. Or just find a better caramel dip!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
October 29, 2013 at 2:02 PMWas your apple dip thick? The one I used was really thick, but these really aren’t a firm kind of a bar. More like an apple caramel bar crumble 🙂 Definitely play around with the recipe…homemade caramel dip would be delicious.
Liz says
October 30, 2013 at 4:17 PMAll nice recipes. Thank lou.
katie says
October 31, 2013 at 12:17 PMshould the apple cider be hot or cold? does it matter?
Jocelyn Brubaker says
October 31, 2013 at 12:35 PMI just used it straight from my refrigerator. I wouldn’t bother heating it up for this recipe.
Rebekah says
November 9, 2013 at 11:28 AMMade these last night for a gathering! They were awesome!! Everyone loved them! Thanks for a great recipe!!!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
November 9, 2013 at 11:40 AMI am so glad to hear that! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Jessica says
November 26, 2013 at 8:24 PMI just made these tonight and had some while still warm and they were amazing! I could not find spice cake mix at my grocery store so I used Duncan Hines carrot cake mix and it worked perfect! Of course I left out the extra packet of carrots and raisins that is is in the box.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
November 26, 2013 at 9:17 PMGreat job improving with the carrot cake mix…and good call to leave out the carrots 🙂 I am so glad you liked the bars…they are one of my absolute favorites!!!
Beth says
January 7, 2014 at 6:44 PMthese look delicious!! thank you for posting – i am new to your blog and will continue to follow 🙂 i want to try these tonight, but i dont have any caramel apple dip (which i have never tried). can i substitute for dulce de leche instead and if so, how much?
Debbie says
September 5, 2014 at 12:33 PMDoes anyone know if these bars could me made ahead of time and freeze?
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 5, 2014 at 12:57 PMHi, Debbie. I have not frozen these bars before. I’m actually thinking it wouldn’t work too well because as the caramel thaws it could leave condensation and that would make the cake layer mushy. How far in advance do you need this made? It would be fine to make a few days ahead of time if you kept it covered.
Debbie says
September 5, 2014 at 1:05 PMI kind of thought the same. I was going to make it up for company that is coming in a couple of weeks so don’t have to do everything all the day before.
Anna says
September 9, 2014 at 10:28 PMWhen I mixed the cake mix, butter and apple cider together it was more of a sticky mess rather than a soft dough. Did I do something wrong?
Jocelyn Brubaker says
September 9, 2014 at 10:49 PMNo, it is a very sticky dough. I have found that if you spray your hands with non stick baking spray, it makes it easier to press it into the pan.