Description

Crunchy, sweet, and buttery Apple Crumb Bars combine tender, spiced apple slices with a golden, crumbly topping infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Perfect for fall dessert cravings, these bars offer a delightful balance of textures and flavors that are easy to prepare with pantry staples. Ideal for cozy nights, potlucks, or festive gatherings, they bring a comforting homemade touch everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Filling

4 cups tart apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Pinch of salt

Crumb Topping & Base

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces

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Instructions

Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and slice your apples into thin pieces. Toss them in lemon juice to keep them bright, then mix with cinnamon, nutmeg, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt. Let these sit while you prepare the crumb base.
Make the Crumb Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold, unsalted butter using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces.
Press Base Layer: Reserve about one-third of the crumb mixture for topping. Press the remaining crumb dough firmly into a greased baking pan, creating an even, compact layer. This will serve as the crust for your bars.
Add Apple Filling: Spread the spiced apple mixture evenly over the crumb crust, making sure the apples layer is consistent to ensure even baking.
Top and Bake: Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the apples. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40 to 45 minutes or until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling through.
Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This step helps the filling set so your bars cut neatly without crumbling. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Notes

Use firm apples like Granny Smith to prevent mushy filling and maintain texture.
Don’t over-mix the crumb topping; keeping butter chunks creates a flaky texture.
If crumb mixture feels too soft, chill before pressing to improve texture.
Press crust evenly to avoid soggy or burnt edges during baking.
Cool bars thoroughly before slicing to help them hold together well.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 4x4 inch)
Calories: 280
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 140mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 40mg