Description
These Apple Crumb Bars combine a buttery, crumbly crust with a sweet and tangy apple filling, finished with a crunchy crumb topping. Perfect for a cozy dessert or snack, these bars are easy to make and bake to golden perfection with a delightful balance of cinnamon-spiced apples and sugary crumb layers.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and 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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Mix well to combine all dry ingredients evenly.
- Add Butter and Egg: Add the chilled butter cubes and the egg to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to crumble the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Form the Crust: Press half of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a firm crust layer.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss until the apples are well coated with the mixture.
- Layer Apples: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust in the baking dish, ensuring an even layer for consistent baking.
- Add Crumb Topping: Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the apple layer, pressing down gently to secure the topping.
- Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbly, indicating the filling is cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the dish on a wire rack before cutting into squares for serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Make sure the butter is well chilled to create a crumbly texture in the topping and crust.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to prevent the filling from spilling out.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle a little nutmeg or ground cloves into the crumb mixture.
