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    Home > Recipes > Dessert

    Caramel Apple Cider Bars

    Published: Oct 29, 2015 · Modified: Jun 10, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 8 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    caramel apple cider bars
    caramel apple cider bars
    caramel apple cider bars

    For the apple-craving sweet tooth, these Caramel Apple Cider Bars are made with cider that is cooked down into a sweet syrup, swirled with cream cheese and spooned over a gingersnap crust. Drizzled with caramel syrup, they're perfect for fall.

    Caramel Apple Cider Bars on a white plate

    My fall-loving heart can hardly take all the goodness of this season.  The crunchy leaves, the pumpkins on doorsteps, the bowls of warm-you-up goodness, the cardigans, the cold toes and fuzzy socks.  And, of course, the socially acceptable practice of pouring warm caramel over desserts.

    drizzling caramel over apple cider bars on a white plate

    To insure that we did fall right after 5 years in the land of no cold weather, we haven't missed a single opportunity for fall fun.  Which is why we didn't just go to the pumpkin patch.  No, we went to the pumpkin patch that is also a cider mill (you Kansas City locals know it as the Louisburg Cider Mill).

    Louisburg Cider Mill, Kansas

    With a corn maze, field of pumpkins, warm cider at every turn, apple cider donuts and an old-timey band playing, it was a welcome return to all the great things about the season that we've missed these past few years.  (And a reminder that I need a warmer coat.  Brrrr.)

    Cider Bars with Caramel Topping on a white plate

    Any jug full of cider sort of begs to be turned into dessert, and this year, these bars are it.  I make them in the food processor (like these cheesecake bites, also a seasonal favorite!), so they come together in a flash. The top layer gets its flavor from apple cider cooked down into a fragrant, bubbling syrup.

    Apple Cider Bars with Caramel Topping stacked on a white plate

    A drizzle of warm caramel puts these over the top.  In the best possible way.

    More Fall Desserts and Snacks

    • Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cheesecake
    • Apple Cider Donut Mini Muffins
    • Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Bites
    • Easy Apple Crumble
    • Applesauce Cake
    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Snack Cake
    • Pumpkin Bread Truffles
    • One-Bowl Pumpkin Cider Bread
    • Easy Apple Tart
    • Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies

    Favorite Tools for 8x8 Cakes

    • 8x8 Square Cake Pan - This is my favorite pan. Everything bakes evenly and it will last for years and years.
    • Flat Whisk - A flat whisk is my favorite tool for scraping around all of the edges of a bowl.
    • Glass Mixing Bowls
    Print Recipe
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    Caramel Apple Cider Bars Recipe

    For the apple-craving sweet tooth, these Caramel Apple Cider Bars are made with cider that is cooked down into a sweet syrup, swirled with cream cheese and spooned over a gingersnap crust.  Drizzled with caramel syrup, they're perfect for fall.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Keyword: apple dessert, easy dessert recipe, fall recipe
    Servings: 16 bars
    Calories: 192kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $4.00

    Equipment

    • Saucepan
    • 8x8 baking pan
    • Food Processor

    Ingredients

    For the topping:

    • 3 cups Apple Cider
    • 1 cup packed Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 stick Cinnamon
    • 2 8 ounce packages Cream Cheese, softened
    • 2 Eggs
    • ⅓ cup Caramel Syrup (optional)

    For the crust:

    • 2 ½ cups Gingersnap cookies (by weight should be 8oz / 225g)
    • 4 Tablespoons Butter, melted (½ stick)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 F.
    • In a small saucepan, boil cider and sugar until it is thick and syrupy and reduces to about ¾ cup, about 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, for about 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick.
    • While the cider cooks down, lightly grease an 8x8 baking dish. In a food processor, pulse the cookies and butter until finely ground. Gently press into the bottom of the pan. Wipe out the bowl of the food processor and fill with cream cheese and eggs. Blend until smooth. With the food processor running, pour the cider over the cream cheese and blend until smooth.
    • Pour filling over prepared crust. Bake until the top is golden brown and the filling is set, 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 126IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

    If Molly and Clara could vote on their favorite aspect of fall, they'd probably choose the driveway puddles.

    Related

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    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aja

      October 30, 2015 at 8:36 am

      These look so delicious!

      Random follower here from Ottawa, Canada - I just LOVE your blog and have made several of your delicious recipes. So far, my favorite has been the summer rolls with peanut sauce. I'm going to take a stab at the white chicken chilli tonight 🙂

      You and your family are adorable, it's such a pleasure following all your culinary adventures. Keep up the great work, Jess!

      Reply
      • Jess

        October 30, 2015 at 1:39 pm

        Thanks so much for your sweet note and for following along, Aja! Those summer rolls are one of my all time favorites, so I'm thrilled you like them. Stay warm up there in Ottawa!

        Reply
    2. CakePants

      October 30, 2015 at 8:40 am

      These bars look all kinds of wonderful! I want to eat that caramel by the spoonful! It looks like you all had a great time at the pumpkin patch - thanks for sharing the photos!

      Reply
    3. Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps

      October 30, 2015 at 10:11 am

      LOVE the Louisburg Cider Mill!! I haven't made it up there yet, but my fall isn't complete without some apple cider doughnuts! Although, these caramel apple cider bars might just be even better, they look PHENOMENAL!

      Reply
      • Jess

        October 30, 2015 at 1:34 pm

        Me too, Nicole. Going back to Louisburg brought back memories of going there on field trips as a kid - it's such a neat place, and I may or may not have eaten my weight in apple cider donuts.

        Reply
    4. Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness

      October 30, 2015 at 7:42 pm

      I miss going to the pumpkin patch! Love the fall fun being had!
      Also, I absolutely love desserts that come together in the food processors!

      Reply
    5. Danielle @ So Munch Love

      November 04, 2015 at 10:23 am

      Yay, I love trips to the pumpkin patch! Our house is currently filled with almost too many pumpkins (almost). These bars look sooooo darn good. I love that you combined a apple caramel, gingersnaps, and the cream cheesy top. Delish!

      Reply
      • Jess

        November 04, 2015 at 7:31 pm

        We definitely have an excess of pumpkins around here too, Danielle! But I do love them. 😉

        Reply

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