The Most Delicious Butterscotch Apple Bars Recipe EVER!
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.
What are Butterscotch Apple Bars?
HOW TO MAKE BUTTERSCOTCH APPLE BARS
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!
WHY USE A CAKE MIX FOR THIS RECIPE
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?
What Kind Of Apples Should I use?
The Fall season brings with it an abundance of apples that we pick for snacking, baking and even bobbing. There are so many different kinds out there it’s hard to keep track of. Granny Smith, Jonagold, Pink Lady and Honeycrisp apples are all incredible options for baking.
When looking for the right apples you want to pick one with the right consistency, flavor and texture. Your apple needs to be sweet but slightly tart, crisp but capable of breaking down without getting too mushy and jam-packed with strong flavor.
Personally, I love using up those bags of honeycrisp apples we haul home from our fall days spent out at the orchards. They are wonderfully sweet with a slight tartness that balances out with the butterscotch. When cooked, the honeycrisp apple maintains its structure so that each bar bite is filled with tender, never mushy, bits of apple.
But of course, this is a chance for you to make this bar your own and play around in the kitchen. Let me know what kind of apple you guys used!
Other APPLE DESSERT RECIPES
If you are ready for something decadent, delicious and absolutely easy, this recipe for Butterscotch Apple Bars is the one for you!
- I can’t get through fall without these Apple Fritters!
- Simple baking can’t get any easier than these Baked Crumble Apples!
Butterscotch Apple Bars
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 package yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup salted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
For the Sauteed Apples:
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 6 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 apples cored and thinly sliced
For the Butterscotch Sauce:
- 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
- 1-2 teaspoons milk
Instructions
For the Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan; set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine cake mix, brown sugar, melted butter, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 1 minute or until combined, scraping bowl occasionally.
- Pat dough into prepared pan. Sprinkle with butterscotch chips. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack until room temperature. Cut into bars. Makes approximately 32 bars.
For the apples:
- Add butter to pan over medium low heat and melt. Next stir in brown sugar and cinnamon then add in apples. Allow the apples to cook in the sauce until they become tender and sauce develops (about 7-12 minutes). Set aside.
For the Butterscotch Sauce:
- Add butterscotch chips to microwave safe bowl then pour milk.
- Microwave at 20 second intervals and whisk after each session until combined. It usually takes about 1 minute. If sauce is too thin, add more chips, if too thick, add a bit more milk and whisk until smooth.
To assemble:
- Spoon apples over each of the bars along with butterscotch sauce and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Give me all the butterscotch apple bars you’ve got. Yum!
You had me at butterscotch!! 🙂
I will definitely check out the recipe. I’m a sucker for anything butterscotch!
Good grief, Jocelyn, these are delectable! When things are just crazy, I love using a few shortcuts (like cake mix) to make my life easier. My cake mix treats never turn out this gorgeous though 🙂 Totally want to give them a try!
I am scared to try these…because I have a feeling I may become addicted! 🙂 They are beautiful and I am sure taste as good as they look. 🙂
What beautiful, amazing bars! Loving all the butterscotch!
These are definitely worthy of an Oprah Check. <3 Loved meeting you at the Bake-off!
Oh my! Those apple slices on top! Droooooling!
I love bars. Plus everyone else seems to love bars too. So it’s fun to bake them. Excellent recipe.