Description
Irresistible Apple Crumble Bars blend classic American dessert comfort with elegant bakery charm. Warm cinnamon-spiced apples nestled between buttery crumble layers promise sweet satisfaction for family gatherings and casual weekend treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Crumble Base and Topping:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Apple Filling:
- 4 large apples (about 1.5 lbs), peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Binding and Finishing:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
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, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon for the crumble base, mixing thoroughly.
- Cut cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse, pebble-like crumbs.
- Press approximately two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan, creating an even, compact base layer.
- In a separate bowl, toss diced apples with granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg until fruit is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle cornstarch over the apple mixture and gently fold to distribute, ensuring apples are well-incorporated with the thickening agent.
- Whisk egg and vanilla extract together in a small bowl, then fold into the apple filling to help bind the ingredients.
- Spread the seasoned apple filling uniformly over the prepared crumble base, creating an even layer.
- Scatter the remaining crumble mixture over the apple layer, allowing some fruit to peek through.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the apple filling becomes bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan for at least 1 hour to allow bars to set properly.
- Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the entire dessert out of the pan and slice into squares for serving.
Notes
- Chill butter thoroughly before mixing to achieve that perfect, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth.
- Swap regular flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or oat flour for a celiac-friendly version of these bars.
- Experiment with different apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to add complexity and balance sweetness levels.
- Use a food processor for faster, more consistent crumb formation if you find hand-cutting butter time-consuming.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg