Salted Caramel Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars
These Salted Caramel Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars are a delicious blend of flavors and textures! Featuring a buttery sourdough shortbread crust, a layer of sweet apple pie filling, and a sourdough crumble topping, they are finished with a drizzle of easy homemade salted caramel. Perfect for fall, these bars are a cozy, sweet treat with a hint of tang from the sourdough.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
Salted butter
Granulated sugar
Sourdough discard
Vanilla extract
Salt
All-purpose flour
Apples of choice (I used a mixture Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
Brown sugar
Cinnamon
Water
Lemon juice
Cornstarch
Rolled oats
Coconut oil
Almond butter
Maple syrup
Why You’ll Love a Salted Caramel Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars:
Sweet and Tangy Flavor: The combination of sweet apple pie filling and the tangy sourdough shortbread crust creates a perfectly balanced flavor in every bite.
Buttery Sourdough Shortbread Crust: Made with sourdough discard, the buttery shortbread crust has a slight tang that adds depth to these bars, making them unique and delicious.
Cozy Apple Pie Filling: The warm, spiced apple pie filling brings all the comforting flavors of classic apple pie into a convenient, handheld bar.
Crunchy Sourdough Crumble Topping: The sourdough crumble topping adds a satisfying crunch that pairs perfectly with the tender apple filling and buttery crust.
Drizzle of Easy Homemade Salted Caramel: The homemade salted caramel drizzle adds a rich, sweet, and salty finish that makes these bars irresistibly decadent.
Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy these bars warm, at room temperature, or even chilled. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Great Use of Sourdough Discard: This recipe is a fantastic way to use up sourdough discard, turning it into a delicious dessert instead of letting it go to waste.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it's a fall gathering, a cozy dessert night, or a treat for breakfast, these bars are versatile and crowd-pleasing.
Easy to Make: Despite their impressive flavor, these bars are simple to prepare with basic ingredients, making them an ideal dessert for bakers of any skill level.
Tips for Making Salted Caramel Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars:
Don’t Over-Mix the Crust: Mix the crust ingredients just until combined to avoid developing gluten, which keeps the shortbread tender and crumbly.
Precook the Apple Pie Filling: For the best texture, precook the apple pie filling until the apples are slightly softened. This prevents the bars from becoming too soggy and ensures the filling is perfectly tender after baking.
Use a Thickener in the Filling: Add a bit of cornstarch or flour to the apple pie filling to help thicken the juices during baking, preventing a runny filling and ensuring clean slices.
Distribute the Crumble Evenly: Spread the sourdough crumble evenly over the apple pie filling to create a consistent, crunchy topping that contrasts well with the soft filling.
Bake Until Golden: Bake the bars until the crumble is golden brown, which ensures that the crust is fully set and the apples are tender. Keep an eye on the edges to prevent overbaking.
Cool Before Cutting: Let the bars cool before cutting to allow the filling to set. This makes slicing easier and gives you neat, well-defined layers.
Make the Salted Caramel in Advance: Prepare the homemade salted caramel ahead of time to allow the flavors to develop. Warm it slightly before drizzling over the bars for a rich, glossy finish.
Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream: These bars are delicious served warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate fall dessert experience.
Store Properly: Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat before serving to restore the buttery crust and warm filling.
How to Store Salted Caramel Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars:
Room Temperature: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you’ve already added the salted caramel drizzle, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate the bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Let the bars come to room temperature or warm them slightly before serving to restore their soft texture and flavor.
Freeze for Later: To freeze, allow the bars to cool completely, then wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Reheat for Warm Bars: For a warm, freshly baked experience, reheat the bars in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-10 minutes, or in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This brings out the buttery flavor of the crust and enhances the apple filling.
Store Salted Caramel Separately: If you plan to make the bars in advance, store the salted caramel separately in a small container in the refrigerator. Drizzle it over the bars just before serving to keep the topping fresh.
Serve with Fresh Vanilla Ice Cream: If serving the bars with ice cream, add a fresh scoop just before serving. Store the ice cream separately in the freezer to maintain its texture and flavor.
FAQs:
Q: What makes these sourdough apple crumble bars unique?
A: These bars feature a buttery sourdough shortbread crust, tangy apple pie filling, and a sourdough crumble topping, all finished with a drizzle of easy homemade salted caramel. The sourdough discard adds a subtle tang that elevates the flavor of traditional apple crumble bars.
Q: Can I use fresh or canned apple pie filling?
A: Yes, you can use either fresh homemade apple pie filling or canned filling for convenience. However, homemade filling offers a fresher, more customizable flavor.
Q: Do I have to use sourdough discard in this recipe?
A: Yes, the sourdough discard is key to creating the unique tang in the shortbread crust and crumble. It also helps prevent waste by using up leftover discard from sourdough starter.
Q: How should I store these bars?
A: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. If you’ve already added the caramel drizzle, separate the bars with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Q: Can I freeze these bars?
A: Yes, you can freeze the bars! Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Q: How should I reheat the bars?
A: To reheat, warm the bars in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-10 minutes or in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This enhances the buttery crust and brings out the flavors of the apple filling.
Q: Can I make the salted caramel in advance?
A: Yes, you can make the salted caramel ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Warm it slightly before drizzling over the bars.
Q: How should I serve these bars?
A: These bars are delicious served warm, at room temperature, or chilled. For an extra indulgent treat, pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of warm salted caramel.
Check out my other fall apple recipes on Instagram:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make these salted caramel sourdough apple crumble bars. Happy baking!
