Pin It A decadent dessert featuring layers of tender biscuit dough, spiced apples, gooey caramel, and a crisp cinnamon-sugar churro topping. Preparation Time: 25 minutes Cooking Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 1 hour Category: Dessert Difficulty: Easy Cuisine: American Yield: 12 bars Diet: Vegetarian
When I first made these caramel apple churro biscuit bars for a fall gathering, they disappeared from the dessert table in minutes. Friends couldn&t stop raving about how the apples and caramel balanced perfectly with the biscuit crust and churro topping.
Ingredients
- Biscuit Base: 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter (cold and cubed), 3/4 cup (180 ml) whole milk, 1 large egg
- Apple Filling: 3 medium apples (about 350 g, peeled, cored, and diced), 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/3 cup (65 g) packed light brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp cornstarch
- Caramel Layer: 1 cup (240 ml) store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
- Churro Topping: 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
Instructions
- Prep the pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Make biscuit base:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk milk and egg; add to flour mixture, stirring just until combined.
- Layer dough:
- Press two-thirds of biscuit dough evenly into the bottom of prepared pan. Reserve remaining dough for topping.
- Prepare apple filling:
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook, stirring, until apples are just tender (about 5 to 6 minutes). Sprinkle cornstarch over apples, stir, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Assembly:
- Spread apple filling over biscuit base. Drizzle caramel sauce over apples.
- Top with dough:
- Drop spoonfuls of remaining biscuit dough over caramel layer; it&s fine if apple and caramel peek through.
- Bake:
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is golden brown and filling is bubbling.
- Churro topping:
- Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Brush the baked bars with melted butter, then sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture over top.
- Cool and serve:
- Allow bars to cool completely in pan before lifting out and slicing.
Pin It My kids love helping sprinkle on the cinnamon-sugar as soon as the bars come out of the oven, and it turns dessert into a fun family moment every time we make these together.
Variations
Try substituting half the apples with pears for a unique flavor or use Honeycrisp apples for a sweeter bar. For a holiday twist, add a pinch of ground ginger to the apple filling.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of extra caramel sauce for an indulgent treat. These bars are also delicious at room temperature for easy snacking.
Storage Tips
Keep leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the oven for fresh-from-the-oven flavor.
Pin It Enjoy these caramel apple churro biscuit bars as the perfect easy dessert for gatherings or just a cozy night in. Their layers of apple, caramel, and cinnamon always steal the show.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Which apples work best for this dessert?
Granny Smith gives tartness, while Honeycrisp adds sweetness. Mix or substitute with pears for variety.
- → How do I achieve a crispy churro topping?
Brush melted butter over baked bars and immediately sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a classic crunch.
- → Can I make the caramel sauce from scratch?
Yes, you can use homemade caramel or store-bought for convenience. Be sure to check for allergens if needed.
- → Is this dessert best served warm or cold?
Both options work well, but serving warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it extra indulgent.
- → What tools will I need for preparation?
A baking pan, mixing bowls, whisk, pastry cutter or fork, skillet, spatula, and pastry brush are recommended.
- → Is this suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, it is vegetarian friendly. However, review store-bought caramel for unexpected animal-based ingredients.