Description
Homemade apple crumble bars blend sweet cinnamon-spiced fruit with buttery crumbly layers, creating a delightful dessert perfect for autumn afternoons. Crisp apple chunks nestled between golden shortbread crust and streusel topping promise a comforting treat you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 large apples
Filling Ingredients:
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Topping/Binding Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over the sides for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Cut cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press approximately two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan, creating a compact bottom crust.
- Peel and dice apples into small, uniform cubes. Toss apple pieces with lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Spread the seasoned apple mixture carefully and evenly over the pressed crust, ensuring complete coverage.
- Whisk egg, vanilla extract, and milk together in a small bowl. Drizzle this liquid mixture over the remaining crumb mixture, creating a slightly moistened topping.
- Sprinkle the moistened crumb mixture over the apple layer, allowing some apple filling to peek through.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the apple filling bubbles around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan for at least 2 hours to allow bars to set and become easier to slice.
- Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the entire dessert out of the pan and cut into neat squares before serving.
Notes
- Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and balanced sweetness in your bars.
- Chill the butter before cutting into the dry ingredients to ensure a flaky, crumbly crust that holds together perfectly.
- Dust the finished bars with powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch that elevates the dessert.
- Make this recipe gluten-free by substituting regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same delicious flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg