Description
These dairy-free caramel apple bars feature a crisp, buttery shortbread base topped with spiced Granny Smith apples and a rich, golden vegan caramel drizzle. Perfectly balanced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this treat is designed for both busy weeknights and special occasions. The par-baking method ensures every square maintains a consistent, delicious texture without the need for any dairy products, making it a crowd-pleasing dessert that is simple to prepare.
Ingredients
1/2 cup + 6 tbsp granulated sugar
2 cups + 6 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
14 tbsp plant-based butter (for crust), melted
3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup vegan caramel
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup plant-based butter (for topping), softened
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, and salt.
Stir in the 14 tbsp of melted plant-based butter until a dough forms.
Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.
In a separate bowl, toss the sliced apples with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the par-baked crust.
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, oats, and the 1/4 cup of softened plant-based butter to make the crumble topping; sprinkle over the apples.
Bake for another 35 minutes until the topping is golden and apples are tender.
Remove from the oven and drizzle the vegan caramel over the bars while warm.
Allow to cool completely before cutting into 16 squares.
Notes
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend if needed. For best results, use a high-fat vegan butter stick rather than tub-style margarine. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 50
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg