Description
These caramel apple oatmeal cookie bars are chewy, gooey, and utterly irresistible. Perfect for fall gatherings, bake sales, or cozy holiday desserts, they layer tender apples with buttery oats and a luscious caramel filling. The result is a sweet, spiced treat that tastes like apple crisp and caramel apples combined into one easy bar. Whether served warm with a scoop of ice cream or enjoyed straight from the pan, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
-
1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
-
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
-
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
-
½ cup granulated sugar
-
1 tsp baking soda
-
1 tsp ground cinnamon
-
½ tsp salt
-
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
-
3 medium apples, peeled and diced
-
1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
-
In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, sugars, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until crumbly.
-
Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
-
Spread diced apples evenly over the crust. Drizzle with caramel sauce and vanilla.
-
Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over the top.
-
Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
-
Cool completely before cutting into bars for neat slices.
Notes
For a salted caramel twist, use salted caramel sauce.
Swap apples for pears for a cozy variation.
Store bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.