Butterscotch Apple Bars Recipe (With How To Video!)

With every Fall comes a slew of desserts meant to provide you with that warm, comforting feeling that we all crave on chilly days. We look out for recipes layered with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Their scents and flavors give us those nostalgic Autumn feelings that we love so much. Whether they’re put in coffee, candles or baked goods they set the tone for the Fall months and help make way for the holiday season.

Now, I’m a big fan of those sweet, hearty caramel apples that you find in grocery stores or next to the cider donuts at apple orchards. But I’m an even bigger fan of their equally delicious counterparts: Caramel Apple Bars. They’re sticky, crisp and spiced to perfection.

This year, I’ve decided to remix these bars and share with you an even better version that everyone will love. That’s right, I said better. These Butterscotch Apple Bars are seriously so good that I had to back away from the table and stop myself from eating another. I’m telling you this gives any Caramel Apple Bars recipe a run for its money.

I admit that I have been a bit tired and worn out this fall but these apple bars gave me all the incentive in the world to go in the kitchen. The original recipe from BHG for Butterscotch-Toffee Bars looked unbelievable to start. I loved seeing that there was actually a bar recipe that gave butterscotch a starring role. This totally could have been a caramel apple bars recipe but just how typical would that be.

From start to finish this recipe is quite simple, but the beauty of that is that you can make it your own! Adding your own flare to this recipe creates a personal touch that your friends, family and coworkers will love. Create an oaty streusel topping to be sprinkled over the top, mix in toasted pecans with your apples or spread a layer of cream cheese filling under your apples for a “apple cheesecake” type bar. The opportunities are endless!

Though I have done tons of scratch baking, the idea of starting these bars with cake mix intrigued me. Cake mixes are the ultimate baking hack because they cut your prep and baking time significantly without sacrificing flavor. The yellow mix turned out to the absolute perfect base for this recipe; it provided the softness and tenderness the recipe needed. These bars seriously melt in your mouth.

Once the base of my bars (AKA the cake batter) is baked and completely cooled, I cooked the apples. I sauteed the apple slices in butter, cinnamon and sugar until tender and added them to the top of the bars, along with an easy microwaved butterscotch sauce made with butterscotch chips, which I also added to the bar batter.

Simple, easy and delicious. I mean, what more could you ask for?