Description
These Apple Crumb Bars feature a buttery, crumbly crust topped with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and a crunchy streusel topping. Perfect as a dessert or a sweet snack, they combine classic fall flavors in a convenient bar form, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust & Crumb Topping
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
- 1 large egg
Apple Filling
- 5 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until fully combined.
- Incorporate Butter and Egg: Add the chilled, cubed butter and the egg to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to work the butter into the flour until the texture resembles coarse crumbs, forming the crumbly dough.
- Form the Crust: Press half of the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the crust layer.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with light brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, ensuring the apples are well coated for a juicy filling that thickens as it bakes.
- Layer Apple Filling: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust layer in the baking dish.
- Add Remaining Crumb Topping: Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the top of the apples, gently pressing down to form the crumbly topping.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely in the dish on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- You can use a mix of apple varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for balanced tartness and sweetness.
- For easier removal, line the baking dish with parchment paper, leaving edges hanging over the side to lift bars out.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Reheat individual bars in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds for a warm treat.
- Optional: Sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top before baking for extra crunch.
