Shortcut Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bars are an ooey gooey fall treat that are EASY to make! Think oatmeal cookies meet caramel sauce and apples.
Originally published October 2015; updated September 2018
With apple season in full swing, who doesn’t love a caramel apple treat?
We have traditional caramel apples (my version is coated with candy), as well as Cinnamon Candy Apple and Caramel Apple cocktails. But nothing beats an ooey gooey fall-flavored bar like these Shortcut Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bars!
What are Shortcut Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bars?
They are layered bars with flavors of oatmeal cookie, caramel sauce, apples and cinnamon.
Shortcut Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bars are so good warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Their taste could pass for pie.
These caramel apple bars are supple in texture, not firm like cake-ier bars. Cut them in any size, stick them in lunch boxes or steal one as a snack in the mid-afternoon with a cup of coffee.
Any way you eat them, I think they’ll make you happy! These bars are moist and taste like fall!
What’s the Shortcut in these Caramel Apple Bars?
It’s my mission in life, or at least in the kitchen, to find ways to make recipes EASIER without sacrificing quality and flavor.
Instead of a full from-scratch crust, Oatmeal Cookie Mix is substituted and boy is it good.
It makes a nice, puffy cookie base for fresh apples, caramel sauce, cinnamon baking bits and a bit of the cookie on top too.
Oatmeal cookie mix is available in both regular and gluten-free mixes. Using the cookie mix not only takes time out of the preparation but also adds wonderful balanced oatmeal cookie flavor to these delicious caramel apple bars.
Using Oatmeal Cookie Mix
There are many brands making regular (gluten) oatmeal cookie mixes and they can readily be found in grocery stores in the baking aisle or online (super inexpensive via Amazon Pantry for online shoppers).
Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookie Mix
Being gluten-free I was able to substitute a gluten-free cookie mix easily. The key is using the same amount of mix, regardless of whether making regular or a gluten-free version.
If the mix you choose is less than the standard 1 pound 1.5-ounce cookie mix, simply weigh out the difference of your mix and the quantity called for in the recipe and add it to your mix.
While researching I found a few gluten-free oatmeal cookie mixes and they all were of differing weights. Add or subtract the amount required to use 1 pound 1.5 ounces.
What Ingredients are in Shortcut Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bars?
Oatmeal cookie mix, butter, an egg, fresh apples, caramel sauce (purchased or homemade), a bit of flour (regular or gluten-free) and cinnamon baking chips.
Cinnamon Baking Chips and Substitutions
Cinnamon baking chips are a wonderful addition to fall dessert recipes. They are a fantastic addition to bake in, as with these caramel apple bars, or as a topping for recipes like Pumpkin Spice Buttermilk Bundt Cake with Dark Salted Caramel Glaze cake.
Generally cinnamon baking chips are only available in the fall. They can be found at most grocery stores or online.
TIP: buy a supply and freeze them! Put the bags into a larger gallon freezer bag, force out the air from the freezer bag, seal and store in your freezer. This will have a supply on hand whenever the mood strikes in any season!
For this caramel apple bar recipe, you can also substitute Butterscotch Chips or White Chocolate Chips for a delicious twist.
How to make Shortcut Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bars – Step by Step:
I think you’ll agree these caramel apple bars are quick and easy to make!
- The oven is preheated to 350 degrees. A 13×9-inch baking pan is buttered (photo 1).
- Using afood processor with the dough blade attachment the oatmeal cookie mix and butter are pulsed into a crumbly consistency (photos 2 and 3)
- An egg is added and pulsed to incorporate (photo 4)
- (photo 5) 3/4 cup of the cookie dough mixture is removed and set aside for topping.
- The mixture is added to the prepared baking pan and pressed into a crust with a special tip (see recipe below)! (photo 6). Crust is baked for 15 minutes.
- After the crust bakes, freshly peeled and chopped apples are spread on top (photo 7). TIP: I use a mini chopper to chop the apples quickly (and effortlessly) into a small size.
- The cinnamon baking chips are sprinkled next (photo 8),
- Followed by the caramel sauce (photo 9) and the remaining cookie dough (photo 10).
- The bars bake for 20-25 minutes then are left to cool for at least 2 hours before serving!
If you’ve tried this Shortcut Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bars recipe please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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Shortcut Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bars
These Shortcut Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bars are a breeze to make and taste like fall!
Ingredients
- 1 packet of Oatmeal Cookie mix (1 lb 1.5 oz; I used Pamela’s Products Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookie mix*)
- ½ cup (1 stick) Cold Unsalted Butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
- 1 Egg
- ¾ cups Caramel Sauce (purchased or homemade)
- ¼ cup All Purpose Flour; regular or gluten-free
- 3 medium-large Apples (1 should be a Granny Smith variety); peeled, cored and chopped+
- 1 cup Cinnamon Baking Chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 13 x 9 inch baking pan by greasing it or spraying it with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- (Preferred method): In the bowl of a food processor with a dough blade, combine the cookie mix and butter pieces. Pulse to combine fully. Alternate hand method: Place cookie mix and butting in a large mixing bowl and cut the butter into the mix using a pastry whisk or dinner knives until fully combined.
- Add the egg and pulse until fully incorporated into the dough (if using a hand method, stir to combine).
- Remove ¾ cup of the prepared dough and set aside (it will go on top of the bars). Turn the rest of the dough into the prepared baking dish and using the back of a silicon baking spoon and/or your fingers, press the dough into the bottom of the pan forming a thin crust. Tip: the dough is sticky so spraying the back of the spoon with non-stick spray or dampening your fingers in neutral-flavored cooking oil will help it not stick.
- Place pan in the oven and cook for 15 minutes.
- While the crust is cooking, combine the caramel sauce and the flour in a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine fully.
- After the crust has baked (it will be puffy), spoon the chopped apples evenly over the cookie crust, followed by the cinnamon baking chips. Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the top and finish with small pieces of the remaining cookie dough distributed over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown or done (the dough I used did not turn golden but I could tell it was done by carefully touching it) and allow to cool for at least 2 hours.
Cut into 30 2-inch by 1-inch bars. Serve slightly warm (with a scoop of vanilla ice cream) and store covered in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
+if using a mix that is LESS THAN 1 lb 1.5 ounces, add additional cookie mix to equal 1 lb 1.5 ounces.
Adapted from Betty Crocker
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
These bars look wonderful Toni – such a perfect fall treat! Apples and cinnamon are one of my favorites 🙂
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
I looooove me a good shortcut — and these look amazing!
Betsy Segars says
I’ve been obsessing over apples the past few weeks. This recipe looks so easy and DELICIOUS!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Those look ooey, gooey and totally DELISH! I want to eat about 14 of them right now!!!
Chasing Joy says
These look so yummy. The cookie crust substitution sounds amazingly good.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Those look fantastic! This is the perfect dessert for the colder months. Yum!
Melissa Pezza says
This looks absolutely amazing. I love to make desserts like this in the dead of our Rhode Island winners.
Stephanie Fields says
I am making these pronto!!!!
Colleen Cayes says
Yikes, these sound good and so easy. It isn’t only tots with braces who resist caramel apples – the strange angles of biting, trying not to get caramel on your chin, fearing the apple will fall off the stick before you’re done – all of those little quibbles solved by converting to bar form! This is also not the typical dessert, and I’m always looking for new ways to surprise and delight dinner guests. I may share part of a batch with new neighbors who just moved in, too.
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
Oh wow, that looks delicious. I love the plates too – so pretty.
Debra says
we have a bunch of apples we just picked. This would be great to make with them!
Liz Mays says
Oh my, I would love to make these. We’d definitely have to serve them with a bit of ice cream.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
Sticky Sweet Sunday Morning Goodness on a plate if you ask me! NOM NOM NOM
Pam says
These sound delicious for fall. Love that you made it so easy to make gluten free for my daughter!
Toni Dash says
I never want anyone to be left out of food, Pam. Everything I make is gluten-free and most recipes have adaptations for gluten-eaters too!
Crystal says
Fall has my favorite flavors out of the whole year. These do sound absolutely incredible.
Penelope says
If I skip the ice cream, can I call this breakfast? Or maybe I’ll keep the ice cream and eat a salad the rest of the day.
Toni Dash says
As far as I’m concerned you can keep the ice cream and have them for breakfast!
Chris Scheuer says
You’re making my mouth water, big time Toni! I love how easy these are to make too – although I think the easiness is a bit dangerous 🙂
Kristi says
Those delicious and perfect timing with all the apples that are ready for picking right now.
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
Oh my word, gluten free or not, I’m obsessed with these right now 🙂
Rosey says
Oh man, that looks good enough to eat. 😉 What a great way to usher in Fall.
veronica says
This looks so delicious! I bet it did taste great, and that aroma has to be so wonderful
Vicky says
Can’t imagine a better way to ring in fall!
Liz Mays says
So true! I really can’t wait to get started on some fall recipes! This is a really fun one
Stacie says
Using cookie mix is genius! I love hacks like that that let me make something easy but that APPEARS to be time-consuming.
Aysegul Sanford says
Such a great recipe for the cool autumn mornings.
Toni Dash says
Sounds like you are in the ‘dessert for breakfast’ club! I like it!
KIM CROISANT says
You made this dessert look really good and I’m all about shortcuts. I’m going to make the gluten-free version.
Melissa Sperka says
Goodness graciou these gooey bars are amazing!
Felicita Moncada says
I can only imagine how delicious your home smelled while baking this! I literally can taste it! All of my favorite Fall things in one delicious dessert!
Toni Dash says
Yes! Is there any better baking smell?!
Christi says
It doesn’t get much better than oatmeal cookie + caramel + apples! A perfect fall dessert!
Melissa Chapman says
I am a big fan of caramel apples and always get them when i am at the fairs. These bars sound great and are a fall treat all kids would love.
Joanne says
Love how easy these are, and they taste just like fall should!
Mommy Moment says
These cinnamon caramel apple bars look so delicious!
A perfect fall recipe for sure.
1stopmom says
This cinnamon caramel apple bars look delicious, especially with the ice cream on top! I want to try this because I like the oatmeal cookie will add a nice flavor.
Scott says
I’m so excited apples are finally coming into season. All the great recipes (like this one) will get made!
Theresa says
My gosh, do those sound amazing! Oatmeal cookies are my favorite, so I like how you used a mix her to simplify the recipe. Such a yummy fall treat, indeed!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Love a good baking shortcut!
Sherry says
These bars are just calling my name. Definitely making these and serving them with ice cream.
Kathy says
Those look so good! I can’t wait to try this now. I need to pick up the ingredients soon so I can make them. I love just about anything with apple.
Foodie Finds Home says
I cannot wait to make these for my MomsNext group! We meet again in 2 weeks and I feel like these will be a welcomed transition into the fall season flavors. I am so excited to try them.
Mama to 6 Blessings says
I am drooling! This would be an awesome Fall treat, add a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and you are all set!
Krystal says
Certainly ready for fall with this! Looks scrumptious.
Jennifer Farley says
These are so easy to put together, I love it! Delicious too!
Rachel says
This looks really good. I’m definitely going to have to buy some cinnamon baking chips.
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
Hello, delicious fall dessert!
Melanie Bauer says
Oh wow looks delightful! Simple and so quick and easy recipe, this is a keeper!
Catalina says
OMG! These are so mouthwatering! These Apple Bars need to happen soon!
Kiwi says
I am not a pumpkin person I am an apple person when it comes to Fall desserts and snacks. This is gonna be so good to make even with a side of ice cream would be good in the Fall!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
WOW!! These apple bars are absolutely amazing!! Aaand I LOVE how easy they are to make!! My kids would love them!
Vicki Bensinger says
This looks so good. A perfect for fall that fall a I cant wait to try.
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
These would disappear in our house!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
These look so fun and tasty! These look outstanding!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh, yes please! These apple bars look truly terrific!
Jamielyn says
These look so gooey and delicious!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Absolutely delicious! Love everything about these bars!
Mahy Elamin says
This Apple Bars looks amazing! I cannot wait to give it a try. Its fantastic! YUM!
Cathy says
These look SO gooey and delicious!!!
Shannon Gurnee says
Wow – these look and sound delicious! I bet my family would love to try this recipe!
Bianca Dottin says
I need to make this ASAP! This is the perfect recipe for fall.