There’s nothing more quintessentially fall than heading to an orchard for some apple picking. Unfortunately, apple orchards aren’t really a thing where I live. There are only a small number of apple varieties that will actually grow here due to the lack of chilling hours most varieties need. Our tendency for flooding rains doesn’t really help either! Needless to say, it’s a pretty rare occurrence to see apples at the farmers market. So, every autumn, I indulge in non-local apples from the grocery store. And you better believe I savor every. single. bite.
For the first apple-laden baked good of the season, I decided to go with my favorite spice: cardamom! Apples and cardamom are such a delightful combination, and in my opinion, perhaps even more delicious than apples and cinnamon. While developing the recipe for these apple pie bars, I decided they needed a caramel drizzle. Thoughts of caramel led me to a concoction we used to make all the time during my childhood: monster munch. It was popcorn drizzled with a caramel made from butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows. So, I made a vegan version, drizzled it over the apple pie bars, and here we are!
Want more apple desserts? Try this vegan green apple tarte tatin with bay laurel, this chamomile and anise hyssop apple crumble, or these mini rose apple pies.
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Cardamom Apple Pie Bars with Marshmallow Caramel
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Shortbread forms the base for these bars topped with cardamom spiced apples and a marshmallow brown sugar caramel. The recipe is vegan and gluten free.
Ingredients
for the shortbread base
- 150g all-purpose gluten free flour mix
- small pinch of sea salt
- 50g granulated sugar
- 100g vegan butter – melted and cooled slightly
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
for the apple layer
- 2 large sweet/tart apples like Cripps Pink
- 1 1/2 tbsp arrowroot flour or cornstarch
- 1 tbsp granulted sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 3/4 tsp freshly ground cardamom
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
for the caramel
- 1/3 cup vegan butter
- pinch of sea salt
- 10 large vegan marshmallows (I used these)
- packed 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
Pre-heat your oven to 300 degrees. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper. Mix together the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the melted butter and the vanilla. Mix well until your dough forms, then press it into your lined baking pan. Once you’ve pressed the dough into an even layer, bake it at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. Allow the crust to cool for 15-20 minutes while you make the apples.
While the crust is cooling, increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Cut the apples into slices that are roughly 1/4-inch thick then add them to a bowl. Add the arrowroot, sugar, spices, and lemon juice to the bowl. Toss the apples so they’re evenly coated in the spices, sugar, and arrowroot. Arrange the apples in an even layer over the crust. Place the pan back in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 min or until you can see that the edge of the crust is golden and the apples have softened. Allow the bars to cool to room temperature.
Melt together the vegan butter and 10 large vegan marshmallow over medium low. Stir regularly to encourage the marshmallows to break down and melt. Once they’re completely melted (this will take about 15 minutes), stir in the brown sugar. Continue to stir, allowing the brown sugar to melt and incorporate fully. This will only take 2 or so minutes. Immediately remove the caramel from the heat and drizzle it over the bars. Allow the caramel to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving the bars.
Notes
These bars are best enjoyed the day they are made as the moisture from the apples will soften the caramel and give it an odd texture. If you want a simpler dessert, leave off the caramel and serve these with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped coconut cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
[…] Cardamom Apple Pie Bars with Marshmallow Caramel – Shortbread forms the base for these bars topped with cardamom spiced apples and a marshmallow brown sugar caramel. […]