These chewy and soft bars are autumn-spiced full of apple cider flavor! The secret to the intense apple cider flavor is reducing the apple cider. Top these off with a dusting of cinnamon-sugar for an extra crunch and burst of flavor! Looking for more autumn-inspired desserts? Check out some of my favorites!Brown Butter Pumpkin S’mores CookiesEASY Cinnamon Crumble Apple Pie BarsChewy Maple Chocolate Chip + Apple Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider, reduced to half
- 1 stick (½ cup salted butter) , melted
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup baking caramel cups, optional or white chocolate chips
- For topping: 2 tbsp sugar + ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 9-by-10-inch baking pan with parchment paper so the edges of parchment paper stick up (this way you can lift the bars out to cut when they are done); set aside.
- Reduce the apple cider: In a sauce pan, heat the apple cider over medium heat, until it comes to a low boil. Reduce the flame to a simmer until the apple cider has reduced to 1 cup (about 15 minutes)
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter.
- Whisk in the brown sugar and vanilla. Then whisk in the eggs.
- Add the flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg and whisk until just combined, don’t overmix.
- Fold in the caramel cups (optional).
- Spread the batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
- Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until bars have firmed up in the center and edges are set. About 5 minutes before the bars are done, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar topping.
- Allow bars to cool in pan for about 15 minutes before lifting them out of the pan. Then allow them to fully cool before cutting.
