I love a bargain. When I found a deeply discounted bag of apples at the Farmer’s Market, I snapped them up. Some of the apples had a few bruises, but nothing that would prevent their use. I arrived home and placed my apples in a bowl while I decided what to make. I have a killer apple bundt cake recipe, but some family members prefer fried pies. So many choices!
I hadn’t decided what to bake when I noticed Justin walking by, apples in hand. “These are bruised,” he said, “I am giving them to Chaucer, the rabbit.” I’ve often said my family would never make it as pioneers. They would decide the food ‘didn’t look right’ and throw it away.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I said, jerking the apples out of his hand. “I am using these. ” He was skeptical, so I glanced through some cookbooks and found three recipes. I couldn’t decide what I wanted to bake. Instead, I combined some of the recipes and changed some ingredients. The result was the Best Caramel Apple Bar Recipe ever, at least according to me. Who can resist apples, caramel, and cinnamon? They’re the classic flavors of fall. It was a hit. Even the family members who don’t like apples thought it was delicious.
The Best Caramel Apple Sheet Cake Ever
This recipe tastes decadent; combining a flaky crust, a layer of tantalizing apple cinnamon filling, and topped with a rich, thick, homemade caramel sauce.
You can make the recipe gluten-free by substituting a box of gluten-free cake mix for the traditional version.
Want to know how to prevent a soggy crust? Use my Secret Tip:
Spread a thin layer of crushed cornflakes or Corn Chex on top of the crust before adding the filling. You won’t be able to taste the cereal, but it will help absorb the moisture from the apples.
You can also adjust the level of cinnamon to your taste. Add a pinch more or a pinch less depending on how much you like cinnamon.
Printable Recipe
- Crust:
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix (OR use Gluten-Free Cake Mix)
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup crushed Cornflakes OR Corn Chex
- Filling:
- 6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
- 1 cup (8 ounces) brown sugar
- Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Heat the oven to 350 F.
- Mix the apples, the cinnamon, and the sugar together in a large bowl, Set the apple mixture aside.
- Blend the butter, the cake mix, and the egg until the mixture is crumbly. Reserve 2/3 cup of the cake mix mixture. Spread the remaining mixture evenly in a 9″ greased baking dish. Make sure the mixture touches the edges of the dish.
- Sprinkle the crushed Cornflakes or Chex cereal evenly across the batter.
- Place the apple mixture evenly across the top of the crust. T
- Top the apple mixture with the reserved crumb batter.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or until the apples are tender.
- Serve warm or allow to cool.
- While the mixture is baking, mix together brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil. Remove mixture from heat and stir in powdered sugar until the sugar is completely blended.
- Immediately pour over the warm cake when it is removed from the oven.
These caramel apple bars are so good topped with ice cream or whipped cream. They’re perfect for potlucks, church dinners, evenings with friends, a special treat for the family, or Thanksgiving. I’m so excited that it’s apple season! After our upcoming visit to the U Pick Apple Orchard, this cake will make regular fall appearances at our house.
What are your favorite apple recipes for Fall?
We just went apple picking so we are fully stocked and I’m in need for recipes! I am so making these!
This looks like a super yummy recipe idea. I would love to make it up for snack during my work at home day 🙂 Caramel is my favorite!
What a yummy snack bar and this would be perfect for me and to my hubby while we’re working in the front of computer
I have never made caramel bars before, but these look delicious! My husband would just love these!
These look so incredible! I love apple recipes especially in the fall. I have a bunch of apples leftover from apple picking, and I need to start using them. This would be a perfect recipe! Yum!
I’ve never tried making caramel apple bars before. It looks so good and I’m sure my kids will love it as well. I really like the flavors in this recipe!
I don’t think there is a better combination on earth than caramel and apples! Such a fun variation of a great fall classic!
This sounds like just the kind of comforting dessert I’d like! It would be a really good choice for a Thanksgiving dessert!
I am craving for that caramel apple bar right now. OMG. It looks so good. I am happy there is a gluten free option too.
Oh so good! I am drooling over that slice! It looks so moist and delicious. I am saving the recipe and hopefully, I will have success in making this delicious treat!
This looks delicious! Apple is my favorite fall flavor- I’m pinning this!
BOOYAH! Apple and caramel are my two favorite flavors together, and you’ve put them both in a bar with a nice, crispy top – also one of my favorite things.
That looks absolutely fantastic. This time of year, when everyone else is clamoring for pumpkin, I’m all about the apple. I love that these bars combine to of my favorite classic apple flavors!
Oh man, I am drooling over these bars. I love the combination of apples and caramel. Yum!
This looks amazing and I’m sure it tastes so good as well. I would love to try the recipe, it’s perfect for the season!
So perfect for apple season, which it definitely is right now. I haven’t tried this, but I’m going to… pinning it!
I’ve never made anything like this before, but it looks delicious! I would love to try making something like this for our family.
im drooling. I am not a pumpkin nothing girl so apple recipes with caramel is up my alley.
This looks so good! I will definitely try this one of these days!
In my quest to eat all things pumpkin, I’ve been ignoring my love for fall apple recipes. This sheet cake sounds lovely. I’ve got a meeting coming up, and will surprise everyone with a yummy fall treat to enjoy.