Apple Crumb Bars are the perfect fall dessert with the classic flavors we love. All coming together in one delicious bite. Try them today!
The Holidays are the perfect time to enjoy your favorite apple baked goods like Apple Pie, Apple Crumble, or Apple Crisp. This recipe is a great way to enjoy those same festive flavors baked into a simple, easy to share dessert perfect for a party or bake sale.
Sabrina Apple Crumb Bars Recipe
Apple Bars are made in a baking dish so they’re perfect to transport and share. Unlike an apple pie that might crumble or spill some of its filling, the rim of the baking pan goes above the bars so that they’re easy to cover and take in a car. Then easily slice it into squares for the perfect mess-free dessert.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
Shortbread Crumb:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar , packed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter , cold, cut into cubes
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Apple Filling:
- 4 cups Granny Smith Apples , peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with baking spray.
- In a food processor, combine ½ cup white sugar with brown sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the butter and egg to the food processor and pulse until a crumbly dough forms.
- Press half of the dough into the prepared pan.
- In a separate bowl, gently toss the apples in ½ cup sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and cinnamon until well coated.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the apple layer.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is slightly brown and apple filling is bubbling.
- Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Nutrition
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Sabrina’s Tips
What is it about cool, creamy dairy toppings that make them go so well with apple desserts? It could be that they balance out the rich and warm cinnamon taste of these bars or the warm dessert causes the topping to melt and create a melty, creamy, gooey goodness. Whatever it may be, I love pairing this dessert with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Table of contents
About This Recipe
Nothing says, “Autumn” like the flavors of fresh apples and cinnamon baked together in a warm dessert recipe. These Apple Pie Bars are made with simple pantry ingredients like sugars, butter, eggs, and flour so that the taste of the apples is really what shines through. The butter crumb topping goes perfectly with the cinnamon and apple pie filling for the perfect Fall treat.
How To Store
- Serve: You can keep bars at room temperature for up to 4 days. Once they’ve cooled, cover the dish with foil or plastic wrap to keep them moist.
- Store: Kept in an airtight container, or covered, the bars can stay good in the refrigerator for 1 week. Put paper towels in the container to absorb any excess moisture.
- Freeze: You can freeze the bars for up to 6 months. Put them in a freezer bag with the squares separated by parchment paper so that they don’t freeze together. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Variations
- Apples: There are plenty of different apple varieties you can use. Granny Smith apples are typical for baking, but Honeycrisp, Winesap, Jonagold, Fuji, or Golden Delicious would all work well.
- Spices: Along with the cinnamon, try tossing the apples with other seasonings that you’d typically find in apple pie spice. Ground nutmeg, allspice, ginger, or cardamom would all add lots of wonderfully warm and seasonal flavor to the recipe.
- Nuts: For some added crunchy texture, top the bars off with chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
Related Recipes
More Delicious Apple Bar Recipes
Photos used in previous version of post
Made these for a potluck, and brought home an empty platter! 4 people asked me for the recipe, so I gave them your site address. 😉 I’m so glad I snitched one before I went or I wouldn’t have gotten one. Very Fall, very yummy! Thanks for the recipe!
An empty platter is one of my favorite compliments! You’re ver welcome Mary and thanks for the 5 star rating.