Caramel Apple Streusel Squares: A Fall Baking Delight!

Fall is in the air, and that means it’s time to embrace all things apple and caramel! These Caramel Apple Streusel Squares are the perfect way to celebrate the season. They’re a delightful combination of a buttery shortbread crust, a sweet and spiced apple filling, a crunchy streusel topping, and a generous drizzle of homemade caramel. These squares are easy to make, incredibly delicious, and perfect for sharing (or not!). This recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

## Why You’ll Love These Caramel Apple Streusel Squares

* **Perfect Fall Flavors:** The combination of apples, cinnamon, and caramel is the epitome of fall. These squares capture all the cozy and comforting flavors of the season.
* **Easy to Make:** While they look impressive, these squares are surprisingly easy to make. The crust and streusel come together quickly, and the apple filling is simple to prepare.
* **Delicious Texture:** From the buttery shortbread crust to the tender apple filling and the crunchy streusel topping, these squares offer a delightful variety of textures.
* **Portable and Shareable:** These squares are perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or simply enjoying at home with a cup of coffee or tea.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can prepare the crust, streusel, and apple filling ahead of time and assemble the squares when you’re ready to bake. This makes them a great option for busy days.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather our ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

**For the Crust:**

* 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour
* ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
* ½ teaspoon salt
* ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks or 170g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
* 1 large egg yolk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

**For the Apple Filling:**

* 4 medium apples (about 1 ½ pounds), peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a combination work well)
* ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice

**For the Streusel Topping:**

* ½ cup (64g) all-purpose flour
* ¼ cup (50g) packed brown sugar
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
* ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

**For the Caramel Sauce:**

* ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
* ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
* 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
* ¼ teaspoon salt

## Equipment You’ll Need

* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Parchment paper
* Mixing bowls
* Pastry blender or food processor (optional, for the crust and streusel)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Saucepan (for the caramel sauce)

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get baking! Here’s a detailed guide on how to make these Caramel Apple Streusel Squares:

**Step 1: Prepare the Crust**

1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
2. **Cut in the Butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You can also use a food processor for this step, pulsing until the mixture comes together.
3. **Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla:** In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Add this mixture to the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
4. **Press into Pan:** Line the 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. You can use the bottom of a measuring cup or your fingers to create a smooth surface.
5. **Pre-bake the Crust:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Let it cool slightly while you prepare the apple filling.

**Step 2: Make the Apple Filling**

1. **Prepare the Apples:** Peel, core, and dice the apples into small, even pieces. Aim for about ½ inch pieces.
2. **Combine Ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat the apples evenly.

**Step 3: Prepare the Streusel Topping**

1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
2. **Cut in the Butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Again, you can use a food processor for this step.
3. **Add Nuts (Optional):** If using, stir in the chopped pecans or walnuts.

**Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Squares**

1. **Pour in Apple Filling:** Pour the apple filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
2. **Sprinkle with Streusel:** Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apple filling.
3. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the streusel topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
4. **Cool Completely:** Let the squares cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving. This allows the apple filling to set and prevents the squares from falling apart.

**Step 5: Make the Caramel Sauce**

1. **Melt the Sugar:** In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar. Cook, stirring constantly with a heat-resistant spatula, until the sugar melts and turns into a golden amber color. Be patient and watch it carefully, as it can burn easily.
2. **Add Butter:** Once the sugar is melted and amber-colored, remove the saucepan from the heat and add the butter. Stir vigorously until the butter is melted and incorporated.
3. **Add Heavy Cream:** Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly. Be careful, as the mixture may bubble up. Continue stirring until the caramel sauce is smooth and creamy.
4. **Add Salt:** Stir in the salt.
5. **Cool Slightly:** Let the caramel sauce cool slightly before drizzling over the squares. It will thicken as it cools.

**Step 6: Drizzle with Caramel and Serve**

1. **Drizzle with Caramel:** Once the squares have cooled completely, drizzle generously with the homemade caramel sauce. You can also use store-bought caramel sauce if you prefer, but homemade is definitely worth the effort!
2. **Cut and Serve:** Use a sharp knife to cut the squares into desired sizes. Lift the parchment paper overhang to easily remove the squares from the pan. Serve and enjoy!

## Tips for Success

* **Use Cold Butter:** Cold butter is essential for creating a flaky and tender crust and streusel topping. Make sure your butter is cold and cubed before adding it to the dry ingredients.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the crust and streusel can result in tough and dense textures. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
* **Pre-bake the Crust:** Pre-baking the crust helps prevent it from becoming soggy from the apple filling.
* **Use a Combination of Apples:** Using a combination of apples, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, will give your filling a more complex and interesting flavor.
* **Adjust Sweetness to Taste:** Adjust the amount of sugar in the apple filling and caramel sauce to your liking. If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the amount of sugar slightly.
* **Cool Completely:** It’s crucial to let the squares cool completely before cutting and serving. This allows the apple filling to set and prevents the squares from falling apart.
* **Make Ahead:** The crust, apple filling, and streusel topping can be prepared ahead of time and stored separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the squares when you’re ready to bake. The caramel sauce can also be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before using.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Different Apples:** Feel free to experiment with different types of apples, such as Gala, Fuji, or Braeburn.
* **Nuts:** Use different types of nuts in the streusel topping, such as almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts. You can also omit the nuts altogether.
* **Spices:** Add other spices to the apple filling, such as ginger, cloves, or allspice.
* **Caramel Sauce:** Use store-bought caramel sauce instead of making your own. Look for a high-quality caramel sauce for the best flavor.
* **Crust:** Use a graham cracker crust instead of the shortbread crust. Crush graham crackers and mix with melted butter and sugar, then press into the pan.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free flour blend in the crust and streusel topping to make these squares gluten-free.

## Serving Suggestions

* Serve these Caramel Apple Streusel Squares warm or at room temperature.
* Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
* Drizzle with extra caramel sauce.
* Serve with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
* These squares are perfect for dessert, brunch, or a sweet snack.

## Storage Instructions

* Store leftover squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* For longer storage, store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* You can also freeze the squares for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate, per square)

* Calories: 350-400
* Fat: 20-25g
* Saturated Fat: 12-15g
* Cholesterol: 50-60mg
* Sodium: 150-200mg
* Carbohydrates: 40-45g
* Sugar: 25-30g
* Protein: 3-4g

## Let’s Get Baking!

These Caramel Apple Streusel Squares are a delicious and easy way to celebrate the flavors of fall. With their buttery crust, sweet and spiced apple filling, crunchy streusel topping, and decadent caramel drizzle, they’re sure to be a hit with everyone. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a truly special treat! Don’t forget to share your creations (or tag me!) on social media. Happy baking!

**Recipe Card**

**Yields:** 16-20 squares
**Prep time:** 30 minutes
**Cook time:** 50-60 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* **Crust:**
* 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour
* ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
* ½ teaspoon salt
* ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks or 170g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
* 1 large egg yolk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* **Apple Filling:**
* 4 medium apples (about 1 ½ pounds), peeled, cored, and diced
* ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* **Streusel Topping:**
* ½ cup (64g) all-purpose flour
* ¼ cup (50g) packed brown sugar
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
* ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
* **Caramel Sauce:**
* ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
* ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
* 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
* ¼ teaspoon salt

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare Crust:** Whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until coarse crumbs form. Add egg yolk and vanilla; mix until just combined. Press into a parchment-lined 9×13 inch pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Cool slightly.
2. **Make Apple Filling:** Combine diced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice in a bowl. Toss to coat.
3. **Prepare Streusel:** Whisk together flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until coarse crumbs form. Stir in nuts, if using.
4. **Assemble and Bake:** Pour apple filling over pre-baked crust. Sprinkle with streusel topping. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Cool completely.
5. **Make Caramel Sauce:** Melt sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until golden amber. Remove from heat; add butter and stir until melted. Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring. Add salt. Cool slightly.
6. **Drizzle and Serve:** Drizzle cooled squares with caramel sauce. Cut into squares and serve.

Enjoy!