Perfect Sourdough Apple Pie Bars with Salted Caramel 

Sourdough Apple Pie Bars with Salted Caramel offer a refined twist on a classic dessert, blending rustic technique with elevated flavors. The subtle tang of sourdough in the crust adds depth and complexity, which beautifully balances the natural sweetness of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples. Topped with a drizzle of rich salted caramel, these bars provide a layered experience: a crisp, buttery base, warmly spiced fruit, and a smooth, indulgent topping. Perfect for gatherings or as a polished everyday treat, they deliver the comforting taste of apple pie in a convenient, handheld form with a sophisticated touch.

Ingredients & Substitutions

* To find precise measurements, scroll to the bottom of this post to find the recipe card*

Shortbread Crust

Unsalted butter: If you are using salted butter, skip the salt.

Sugar: Cane sugar can be used as a substitute.

Sourdough discard: I prefer using fresh discard for sweet treats. This will give the shortbread a mild tangy flavor, but you can use older discard.

Vanilla: Use vanilla extract over imitation for the best flavor.

Salt: For a bit of contrast.

Flour: I used all purpose flour. 

Apple Filling

Apples: My favorite apple to use for this recipe is Granny Smith, but you can opt for sweeter apples like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady or Gala apples or do a mixture of your favorites!

Sugar: For a touch more sweetness. 

Flour: Helps thicken the apple filling.

Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg complement the apples perfectly.

Streusel Topping

Oats: Old fashion oats work best for this recipe.

Brown Sugar: For even more caramel like flavor, you can use dark brown sugar.

Cinnamon: To compliment the apples even more.

Salt: Any unrefined salt will do, but my favorite is Redmond’s unrefined salt for some extra minerals!

Unsalted Butter: Use cold butter. If using salted butter, reduce the salt to 1 gram (¼ teaspoon)

Salted Caramel Sauce

Sugar: Granulated Sugar or Pure Cane Sugar

Unsalted Butter: Omit the salt if you use Salted Butter

Heavy Cream: Brings the creaminess to this luscious caramel sauce.

Salt: I mean, it is called salted caramel!

Supplies

8 x 8 inch baking dish

Parchment paper

Mixing bowls

Peeler

Pastry cutter

Rubber spatula

How to Make Sourdough Apple Pie Bars

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment. Set aside.

Shortbread Crust

In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, sourdough discard, vanilla extract, and salt. Use a whisk to mix the ingredients until smooth.

Next, add the flour and use a rubber spatula to mix until a dough forms. 

Pinch off pieces of the dough and scatter them evenly in the prepared baking dish. Using your fingers or the back of a measuring cup, press the dough down to form a crust. 

Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, then remove.

Apple Filling

While the shortbread is baking, prepare the apple filling and streusel topping. 

Begin by peeling and slicing the apple into 1/8-inch pieces. Place the apple slices in a medium bowl. Add the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the apples. Use a rubber spatula to mix everything until the apple slices are completely coated with the sugar mixture. Set the mixture aside.

Streusel Topping

In a small bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk the ingredients together until they are evenly mixed. 

Next, cut the cold butter into cubes and add it to the oat mixture. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers to work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. 

Store the mixture in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.

Assemble

Once the shortbread crust is out of the oven, evenly spread the apple filling on top of the warm crust. Next, sprinkle the streusel over the apple filling. Bake for an additional 35–40 minutes, or until the apples are soft and tender. I recommend using a toothpick to check for doneness.

Allow the dish to cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before placing it in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours; overnight is ideal for easier slicing.

Slice the dessert into 12–16 even pieces. You can serve it cool, at room temperature, or warm. It pairs wonderfully with ice cream, homemade caramel sauce (recipe shared below), or can be enjoyed plain. Enjoy!

Homemade Salted Caramel

To a medium pot, add white sugar and heat it over medium heat on the stovetop. Allow the sugar to sit for a few minutes. As it starts to melt, stir it gently. Typically, the sugar will dissolve completely in about 8 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to ensure that it doesn’t burn.

Once the sugar has melted, add the room temperature butter and stir vigorously. The mixture will begin to bubble and rise, so continue stirring to fully incorporate the sugar and butter.

After the sugar and butter are well combined, slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring continuously. Continue to cook until the caramel starts to bubble and rise again, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes.

Finally, remove the pot from the heat and pour the caramel into a small bowl to cool.

How to Serve:

Serve the bars slightly warm or at room temperature to enhance their flavor and texture. For a more elegant presentation, drizzle them with additional salted caramel just before serving. These bars pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. In a more formal setting, consider dusting them lightly with powdered sugar and garnishing with thin apple slices or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

How to Store:

Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Make sure to allow them to cool completely before storing to prevent condensation. For longer storage, individually wrap each bar tightly and freeze for up to two months. To thaw, place them in the refrigerator overnight, and then reheat briefly at room temperature or in a low oven before serving.

For More Guidance:

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Faster than apple pie:

These bars capture the essence of traditional apple pie without the long preparation time. No rolling pins or lattice crusts are needed; simply press, layer, bake, and enjoy. They are perfect for when you want a homemade dessert with minimal effort.

Shareable:

These bars are designed for easy slicing and transport, making them ideal for gatherings, potlucks, and holiday tables. No plates or forks are required, which keeps hosting simple and mess-free.

Apple pie meets apple crisp:

You experience the best of both worlds: a buttery crust reminiscent of pie, paired with a lightly crisp topping that adds texture and contrast. This combination creates a balanced dessert that feels both familiar and elevated.

Incredible fall flavor:

Warm spices, tender apples, tangy sourdough, and rich salted caramel combine to capture everything you love about autumn baking. Each bite is layered with comforting, seasonal richness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Happy baking!

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