Salted Caramel Apple Cookie Bars

To celebrate the premiere of Autumn at Apple Hill, a Hallmark movie written by the super talented author Angie Ellington, I decided to bake something special—Salted Caramel Apple Cookie Bars. This cozy recipe was inspired by the book’s warm, autumn vibes AND the first virtual baking class with Adua, aka Mrs. Hungry for Hallmark. She will be making a Apple Tarts alongside Erin Cahill, the star of the movie. These bars combine a rich salted caramel apple cookie base with a buttery walnut crumble, making them the perfect treat to enjoy while watching the movie or just getting in the Fall spirit!

SPRINKLE OF CREATIVITY!

Can’t find the caramel apple cookie dough? Use pumpkin for a seasonal flavor or sugar cookie for a year round coffee cake taste. 

If you love salty sweet, use salted caramel topping instead of regular caramel.

Feel free to swap the walnuts with pecans or another nut of your choice!

Salted Caramel Apple Cookie Bars

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

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• 1 package of Pillsbury Ready to Bake Limited Edition Salted Caramel Apple Cookie Dough, room temperature
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup caramel topping

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9″ square dish with parchment paper and spray it with baking spray. It’ll make it easier to pull the bars out.
2. Press the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan. It’s much easier if it’s room temperature. Make sure it’s an even layer. 
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until it’s light golden brown on the sides. Remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly.
4. In a bowl, mix the flour, melted butter, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and chopped walnuts until it becomes a crumbly mixture. 
5. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the baked and slightly cooled cookie base. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the caramel layer. 
6. Bake for another 35-40 minutes or until the cookie layer is completely cooked and the edges are brown and crispy. 
7. Let the bars cool completely, slice, and then serve!

To celebrate the release of Autumn at Apple Hill, a Hallmark movie based on a book written by Angie Ellington, I decided to whip up something cozy and sweet: Salted Caramel Apple Cookie Bars. If you’re familiar with Angie’s writing, you’ll know she has a knack for creating sensory-driven stories that are the perfect match for Hallmark’s seasonal vibes. This book wraps you up like a warm blanket with scenes that make you feel the crispness of fall air, the smell of baked apples, and the crunch of golden leaves underfoot. In honor of her amazing storytelling and the charm of Autumn at Apple Hill, these crumble bars are just the perfect treat! Find the book here!

This recipe also celebrates a special virtual baking class hosted by Adua, aka Mrs. Hungry for Hallmark, in collaboration with Erin Cahill, the movie’s leading actress. You can sign up for the class via Auda’s page or click here! Can’t wait to see you there 🙂  I love how these bars have that combination of apple, caramel, and a buttery crumble. It’s such a great recipe to enjoy while watching the movie (premiering soon!) or while diving into the book.

The foundation of these bars starts with Pillsbury’s Limited Edition Salted Caramel Apple Cookie Dough. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and salty, and when pressed into the bottom of the pan, it forms a sturdy, delicious base. After a quick bake, the cookie dough base turns golden and slightly crispy on the edges, just enough to hold the rich caramel and crumble toppings.

Speaking of the crumble, it’s a blend of flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and walnuts—all the essential elements of a classic autumn dessert. The butter ties everything together into a rich, golden topping, while the oats add a rustic texture. The walnuts bring a nice crunch, balancing the sweetness from the caramel drizzled over the cookie dough. I found this crumble to be the perfect mix of textures, especially with the gooey caramel underneath.

After baking the bars for an additional 35-40 minutes, the result was autumn-tastic. The edges were crisp, the caramel had seeped into the cookie base just enough to create a sticky, buttery richness, and the crumble was golden brown with just the right amount of texture. Once cooled, these bars sliced perfectly and were a hit with everyone who tried them—especially when paired with a warm cup of cider or tea.

Whether you’re curling up to watch Autumn at Apple Hill or celebrating a cozy fall day, these Salted Caramel Apple Cookie Bars are an easy yet impressive treat that captures all the best flavors of the season. Enjoy them as you savor the fun of Hallmark’s fall movie magic, and don’t forget to check out Angie Ellington’s book for more autumn inspiration!