Well hi there, friends! It’s Patty here from Patty’s Place, back again with another sweet treat to share. Today I’ve got a recipe for old-fashioned apple crumble bars that I just know you’re going to adore.
There’s nothing that says “cozy” like warm, cinnamon-y apples baked under a crispy, crumbly topping. It’s the kind of from-scratch baking that reminds me of my mama’s kitchen. Now I’ve transformed that nostalgic apple crumble flavor we all love into easy, hand-held bar form.
These apple bars start with a simple shortbread crust. No need for fancy pie dough here! Just flour, butter, sugar and an egg pressed into a pan and baked until lightly golden.
Then we’ll pile on a hearty apple filling seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg and a bit of flour to thicken those delicious juices. I use plenty of fresh diced Granny Smiths so there’s lots of bright apple flavor in every bite.
Finally, a crumbly oat topping is sprinkled over the apples and baked again until it’s perfectly crispy on top while the apples soften into jammy perfection underneath.
The end result? Apple crumble flavor for on-the-go! Grab an apple bar for a satisfying snack, or serve warm with ice cream for a fuss-free dessert. It fills the house with the most wonderful, nostalgic aroma as it bakes too.
I like to drizzle my bars with a bit of homemade salted caramel sauce to really take them over the top. But they’re so good on their own too. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy this easy apple treat as much as I do!
Blessings and Happy Baking!
Ingredients
For Base & Crumble Topping:
- 1 stick 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 large egg
For Crumble Topping:
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats not quick or instant
For Apple Filling:
- 3-4 Granny Smith apples diced (about 4 cups)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Instructions
Make Base:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
- In a bowl, mix melted butter with flour, sugar, baking powder and salt until combined.
- Stir in egg until dough forms.
- Reserve 1/3 of dough for topping. Press remaining 2/3 dough into prepared pan.
- Bake 15 minutes until lightly golden. Cool 5 minutes.
Make Apple Filling:
- In a bowl, toss together diced apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Make Crumble Topping:
- Mix oats into reserved 1/3 dough until incorporated.
Assemble & Bake Bars:
- Spread apple filling over cooled crust.
- Crumble oat topping over apples.
- Bake 30-35 minutes until topping is deep golden brown.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
