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Caramel Pecan Apple Bars

These apple bars are easy to make with a cake mix crust! This is my first of many apple recipes this fall.

Apple Bars RecipeOne of my favorite things about fall is apple desserts and apple recipes! Every year we spend a day or two at apple orchards in the area. They are already open for the season but we usually wait until later in September and into October to go. A couple of weekends ago, we ate at one of the apple orchard’s restaurants with some friends of ours. I was impressed with their selection of baked treats and am going to try to make some of them. Before, I get started on those recipes, I wanted to try making Apple Bars. My idea was to make more of a cookie bar so I used my recipe for White Chocolate M&M Cookie Bars as the base. Since the apples have a lot of moisture in them the base is softer and less sturdy than the cookie bars base was.

Apple Dessert RecipesThe base of the bars is a spice cake mix, 1 stick of butter and an egg. The second layer is 2 chopped Granny Smith apples coated with sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. The third layer is roughly chopped pecans. The final layer is  one can of sweetened condensed milk.

Caramel Apple Pecan Bars RecipeBake the bars for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Apple Recipe BarsThe bars are delicious! If you want to remove them from the pan, allow the bars to cool first.

Apple_RecipesOr serve them warm, directly from the pan with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel and some chopped pecans.

5 from 1 vote
Apple Bars Recipe
Print
Caramel Pecan Apple Bars
Course: Dessert
Author: The Gunny Sack
Ingredients
  • 1 spice cake mix
  • 1 stick butter softened
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Granny Smith apples
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix together cake mix, egg and butter.
  3. Pat into a parchment lined, greased 9×13″ pan.
  4. Peel and chop apples.
  5. Toss with sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
  6. Sprinkle chopped apples over the cake batter in the pan.
  7. Top with chopped pecans.
  8. Drizzle with sweetened condensed milk.
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Here’s another fall dessert recipe:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Baked DoughnutsPumpkin Chocolate Chip Doughnuts

« Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Doughnuts
Print Instagram Photos For A Handmade Gift »

Comments

  1. Tina Clemons says

    December 27, 2017 at 10:58 am

    This looks really delicious but if I am going to attempt to do it I need something friendly for diabetes prone health. Is there a substitute for the condensed milk?? As in maybe using 2% and some powdered sugar instead? I have to be careful not to overdo my sugar carbs and that just has too much sweetness to it. As much as I would like to use it I shouldn’t. The tart apples get enough sweetness from the cake mix and I would add nuts to this of course! Is that possible to do and still be accepted to eat for a dessert??

    Reply
  2. Mattie says

    August 20, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    I can hardly wait to try this mouth watering recipe. Can you freese the bars? Before or after baking?

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      August 22, 2016 at 9:49 am

      I would freeze them after baking them. Happy Baking! ~Tonia

      Reply
  3. Madison says

    November 25, 2015 at 11:06 am

    Hi! I want to make this recipe for Thanksgiving but I spend the holiday at another house and would have to transport the dessert. How would I approach re-warming the bars when I arrive at the house? I would really like to serve them warm and with ice cream. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      November 26, 2015 at 1:15 pm

      Hey Madison! Sorry I’ve been away from my computer. Had a grooms dinner last night and baking/cooking for Thanksgiving today. I would just warm them up in the microwave. Start with 30 seconds and check them. Keep heating in 15 second intervals until warm. Enjoy! ~Tonia

      Reply
  4. Guerin Danielle says

    November 16, 2015 at 5:24 am

    Hi i am from France and i dont know what is a spice cake mix. Can i change it for a home made cake mix like a victoria sandwich mix with all spice ( 2 eggs, 100g of sugar, 100 g of butter, 100 g of flour.)

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      November 17, 2015 at 10:25 am

      It is a yellow or white cake mix with spices in it. Here is a recipe from my friend Amanda at I Am Baker to try: http://iambaker.net/homemade-spice-cake-mix/ Best of luck! ~Tonia

      Reply
  5. Ashleigh says

    November 19, 2014 at 7:09 pm


    Hi Tonia, these sound great, I have two questions though: 1. by stick of butter, do you mean a quarter cup stick or a half cup stick? 2. Do you think I can add extra condensed milk? I really want them to by caramel-y. I can’t wait to make these for Thanksgiving, thank you for sharing this.

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      November 19, 2014 at 11:27 pm

      Hi Ashleigh,
      It’s a half cup of butter and I’ve never tried adding extra condensed milk, but I think that it would work. You could also try adding caramel ice cream topping like they do in Oatmeal Carmelita recipes. Happy Baking!
      ~Tonia

      Reply
  6. Angie says

    November 9, 2014 at 10:56 am

    SHUT the Front DOOR OMG These just came out of the Oven and the Smell is Amazing . Can’t wait to share it after dinner

    Reply
  7. Deanne Richard says

    November 8, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    I just took these out of the oven. Made mine in my cast iron skillet lined with parchment paper. Is it me or it seemed to take alittle longer to set?
    Looks beautiful though & bought ice cream and of course caramel too!! Can’t wait to try! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Shannon Odom says

    November 5, 2014 at 6:18 pm

    Sooooo good! Makes the house smell like thanksgiving!

    Reply
  9. Jennifer Fischer says

    October 3, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    In the pictures you posted, it looks like the cake is baked before you add the rest of the toppings then bake again. Is that the case or is the cake mix raw when you add the rest of the ingredients?

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      October 3, 2014 at 7:00 pm

      Hi Jennifer,
      The cake mix layer is raw. It is very thick and pressed onto the bottom of the pan. Happy Baking!
      ~Tonia

      Reply
      • Jennifer Fischer says

        October 5, 2014 at 7:16 pm

        Thank you so much! I have two potlucks this week…any guesses as to what I’m making?

        Reply
    • Ms.Devon says

      September 24, 2016 at 7:24 am

      Ooh my goodness I love baking things that make my house smell like Thanksgiving. I can’t wait to put mine in the oven. 😃

      Reply
  10. Barbara says

    September 30, 2014 at 7:50 am

    could you substitute something non-dairy for the condensed milk do you think?

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 30, 2014 at 8:20 am

      Hi Barbara,
      The sweetened condensed milk caramelizes and really holds everything together. I think that you could use melted, non-dairy caramels instead.
      Happy Baking!
      ~Tonia

      Reply
  11. Emilia says

    September 18, 2014 at 9:23 am

    This recipe looks and sounds SO good I am afraid I will be committing a crime if I make it. But, hey, I think it’s worth the jail time!
    😉

    Reply
  12. Pat Keith says

    September 3, 2014 at 10:20 pm

    The spice cake mix you just add a stick of butter and a egg. That is all. Then you put on thr layer . Just want to know if that is right. Thank You Pat

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 3, 2014 at 10:47 pm

      Hi Pat,
      Yes, the bottom layer is just a spice cake mix, a stick of softened butter and an egg. Happy Baking!
      ~Tonia

      Reply
  13. Alicia Bardere says

    January 1, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    AWESOME!!! & EASY!
    Definitely will do again!!!

    Reply
  14. Hana says

    November 25, 2013 at 10:42 am

    Got it! Thanks for the quick reply, have a great day:)

    Reply
  15. Hana says

    November 25, 2013 at 10:36 am

    By the way, what is spice cake mix?

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      November 25, 2013 at 10:38 am

      It is a cake mix flavor from Betty Crocker: http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/supermoist-cakes/spice

      Reply
    • Annette says

      September 15, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      As a substitute for the spice cake, You can add 1 1/2 – 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or 1 teaspoon cinnamon + your choice of any or all 1/4 teaspoon each nutmeg, ginger, allspice cloves) to butter cake mix.

      Reply
  16. Hana says

    November 25, 2013 at 10:32 am

    OMG! I’m sitting here looking for an apple recipe to make for thanksgiving, I usually make an apple pie, pecan pie, and a pumpkin pie. This year I’m looking for something new. When I saw your Carmel Apple Pecan Bars, I knew this is it! This is a great combo for two of my pies, and I love anything with sweetened condensed milk. Thanks so much for sharing, happy thanksgiving 🙂

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      November 25, 2013 at 10:35 am

      Great idea! I should make some of these to bring to our Thanksgiving too. Have a wonderful week! ~Tonia

      Reply
  17. Liz says

    November 7, 2013 at 12:21 pm

    Love this recipe. Thank you, Tonia.

    Reply
  18. Anna Bennett says

    November 4, 2013 at 11:04 am

    Tonia, every recipe that you e-mail to us is to die for. They are all so AWESOME. Thank you so very much.

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      November 4, 2013 at 8:44 pm

      Thanks Anna! I have so much fun doing all the baking and cooking!

      Reply
  19. Stefanie Breuer says

    October 22, 2013 at 10:31 am

    If you haven’t made these yet you need to. They are to die for!!

    Reply
  20. Kristen Duke says

    September 15, 2013 at 11:05 pm

    YUM!! I love fall and these bars sound like the perfect fall treat. My mouth is watering just looking at your pictures!

    Reply
  21. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

    September 14, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    These bars look just incredible Tonia! I am SO happy it’s apple season!!

    Reply
  22. Lyuba@willcookforsmiles says

    September 12, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    Tonia, these sound so special!! I will definitely be trying them, I love apple recipes 😉

    Reply
  23. Anita says

    September 12, 2013 at 10:26 am

    Ok, I’m definitely making a special trip to the store just so I can make this. Yum!

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 12, 2013 at 12:46 pm

      Thanks Anita! It will be worth it. I served this dessert to some company last weekend and they wanted the recipe from me.

      Reply
  24. Liz says

    September 10, 2013 at 10:58 am

    Apple bars really caught my eye. Looks delicious. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 12, 2013 at 12:45 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Liz!

      Reply
  25. Stephanie@Henry Happened says

    September 10, 2013 at 5:53 am

    I need this right away! ok, and the donuts too!

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 12, 2013 at 12:44 pm

      LOL! Happy baking! Thanks Stephanie!

      Reply
  26. Kelsey Apley says

    September 6, 2013 at 8:47 am

    You seriously made my heart skip a bit I think!! Yummy!!!!!

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 7, 2013 at 9:01 pm

      LOL! Thanks Kelsey!

      Reply
  27. Eva says

    September 6, 2013 at 8:23 am

    I love this recipe, I entantan apples and I love your blog! I hope also to have translated. Here I’m following you!

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 7, 2013 at 9:02 pm

      Thanks Eva! I’m so happy to have you as a follower!

      Reply
  28. Jenna says

    September 6, 2013 at 8:05 am

    Thanks Tonia! I was thinking about making some apple recipes and this sounds perfect! I love sweetened condensed milk recipes, and using the spice cake mix is well, genius!! Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 7, 2013 at 9:03 pm

      Well, thank you Jenna! 🙂

      Reply
  29. Anne @ Domesblissity says

    September 6, 2013 at 7:12 am

    Oh Tonia! These are too much. My favourite flavours. I’m pinning!

    Anne xx

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 7, 2013 at 9:03 pm

      Thanks Anne! There is so much goodness in one bar!

      Reply
  30. Glenda says

    September 5, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    So beautiful, Tonia! My husband feels I should stay up and make this, even though it’s going on 10 pm. We just discovered it and it looks so delicious! Yum!

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 5, 2013 at 9:37 pm

      LOL! Maybe you should! Thank Glenda!

      Reply
  31. Andrea @ Travel Cook Tell says

    September 5, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    I need this now 🙂
    It looks amazing! I’ll make it soon…
    Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 5, 2013 at 7:07 pm

      Thanks Andrea! I wish I could send you some!

      Reply
  32. Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says

    September 5, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    Yum! I am loving all the apple goodness this year. I am working on apple recipe for a week of apple treats and something very similar to this was on my list 🙂 Great minds think alike!!! I love that you put ice cream on them too!

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 5, 2013 at 9:17 pm

      I can’t wait to check them out! Thanks Jocelyn!

      Reply
  33. Shannah @ Just Us Four says

    September 5, 2013 at 11:03 am

    These look so good! We are hoping to head out for some apple picking this weekend and now I know the perfect thing to make with our bounty. 🙂

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      September 5, 2013 at 11:16 am

      Thanks Shannah! Have fun this weekend!

      Reply

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Tonia LarsonHi, I'm Tonia, a lover of food and photography! Fill a gunny sack with ingredients, tie on an apron and let's get cooking!
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