Apple Caramel Greek Yogurt Crumb Bars

I'm sure you all know what apple cheesecake bars are. They're everywhere on the internet. But have you heard of apple Greek yogurt bars? Nope? Well, here they are! In fact, they're just as delicious as cheesecake bars, they just have less fat and are healthier. Sounds good, right? That means, you can drizzle some more dulce de leche on top, I guess. 
Anyway, this is a MUST-MAKE fall dessert. Seriously. It has everything you crave for a cold evening: buttery oaty crumbs, cinnamon, creamy Greek yogurt filling, soft apples and warm caramel sauce on top of this goodness... Yes, they're as good as they sound. You have no excuse to not make these. 

Apple Caramel Greek Yogurt Crumb Bars 

Base and topping:
90g (1 cup) quick-cooking oats, ground
125g (1 cup) flour
110g (1/2 cup) sugar
145g (1 1/4 stick) butter, room temperature
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Filling:
1 large apple (270g), cubed
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1 tsp cinnamon
400g Greek yogurt
55g (1/4 cup) sugar
1 egg
30g flour

Caramel sauce:
Dulce de leche
Some milk

Preheat oven to 180C (350F).

1) Make the base & crumbs: mix together oats, flour, cinnamon, sugar and salt. Add butter. Mix using your fingertips until crumbs form. Press 2/3 of the mixture into a 20x20cm (8x8inch) baking dish. Reserve 1/3 for the topping. Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

2) Make the filling: First, mix apple cubes with 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and set aside. In another bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, sugar, egg and flour. Pour the mixture over the crust. Sprinkle apples on top (do not press!) and sprinkle crumb topping (don't press as well. It will stick together while baking). 

3) Bake in a 180C (350F) preheated oven for 25-35 minutes or until set. 

4) Make the caramel sauce: Mix a few tablespoons of dulce de leche and a few tablespoons of milk in a small saucepan. Heat and stir to make it smooth. You may add more/less milk according to your preference. I suggest making the sauce just before serving. I like keeping the bars in the fridge and then drizzle with warm caramel sauce. Yum.

Recipe by collecting memories