Apple Crumble Bars have a shortbread crust, a tart apple filling, and a sweet crumble topping. These bars can be served warm with a scoop of ice cream or eaten on the move. They are perfect for any season!
Apple Pie is a staple dessert and an American classic. These bars take the epitome of apple pie and turn it into an easy to make handheld treat. These Funfetti Blondies are another fun handheld dessert.
If you're looking for more simple bar recipes check out these Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars, Biscoff Blondies, or Marshmallow Brookies.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Apple Pie is a classic dessert and having it in a handheld version makes it even better! You can also enjoy it in macaron version with my Apple Pie Macarons.
- They are a versatile dessert and can be enjoyed year round.
- These bars are easy to make. Just like my Oreo Bars.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- I used Granny Smith apples, but you can use whatever you like the best.
- Cornstarch will thicken the filling.
- You can use cinnamon or apple pie spice. Whichever you have on hand will work and the flavors will still be similar. You can also make homemade apple pie spice.
- Lemon will keep the apples from getting brown and add flavor. If you're looking for a lemon dessert try my Lemon Soufflé.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Dried fruit, such as raisins, can be added to the filling for extra flavor.
- Caramel sauce can be drizzled on top to add sweetness and flavor.
- Cut the bars smaller to make Mini Apple Bars.
- Swap out the shortbread crust for puff pastry. I use puff pastry in my Chocolate Puff Pastry Rolls.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-By-Step Instructions
Shortbread Crust
STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (F). Prepare an 8×8 inch square pan by spraying it with non-stick spray and placing two long strips of parchment paper in a cross shape in the pan, leaving an overhang.
STEP 2: In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
STEP 3: In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a medium bowl using a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until smooth and creamy.
STEP 4: Add the egg and vanilla. Mix until fully combined.
STEP 5: Add the flour mixture and mix until fully combined.
STEP 6: Pat the dough into an even layer in the bottom of the prepared pan. If it is sticky you can dip your fingers in flour to keep it from sticking to your hands. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
STEP 7: Remove from oven and allow to cool while you make the filling.
Apple Filling
STEP 1: In a large bowl add the diced apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon or apple pie spice, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are fully coated. Allow to sit for five minutes.
STEP 2: Melt the butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the apples and all of the juices that have released from the apples. Cook the apples for about 10 minutes or until the apples are tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool while you make the crumble topping.
Crumble Topping
STEP 1: In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour, butter, and cinnamon or apple pie spice. Use clean hands or a fork to mix together until the butter is broken up and the mixture has a coarse texture.
STEP 2: Place in fridge until ready to use.
Assembly
STEP 1: Add the apple filling to the baked shortbread crust. Spread evenly to the sides.
STEP 2: Sprinkle the cold crumble topping evenly over the apple filling.
STEP 3: Place the apple crumble bars in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are bubbly and the top is lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool before cutting.
Expert Tips
- Use an oven thermometer. Most ovens run either hot or cold. Using an oven thermometer ensures that you are baking your apple crumble bars at the perfect temperature.
- Weigh your ingredients. One of the most common baking mistakes that I see is measuring incorrectly, especially with flour. The best way to get accurate measurements every time is to weigh them with a kitchen scale.
- Don't overmix. You need to mix your batter until all of the ingredients are JUST combined, otherwise, you will make too much gluten and your crust will be tough instead of fluffy.
Recipe FAQ's
You can, but I wouldn't recommend baking them until the day you are ready to serve them. You can assemble the bars, freeze everything, allow to thaw for a hour, and then bake normally.
I prefer green apples, specifically Granny Smith apples, because they are tart and bake well.
Room Temperature: The bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.
Refrigerator: If stored correctly in an airtight container the Apple Crumble Bars will last up to 1 week in the fridge.
Freezer: If stored correctly in an airtight container they will last up to 2 months in the freezer.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you tried these Apple Crumble Bars or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I so appreciate hearing from you!
Recipe
Apple Crumble Bars
Ingredients
For Crust:
- 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For Filling:
- 3 apples diced
- ½ cup (106 grams) light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or apple pie spice
- juice of ½ lemon
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter
For Topping:
- ⅓ cup (66 grams) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or apple pie spice
- 3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter cold and cubed
Instructions
For Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (F). Prepare an 8×8 inch square pan by spraying it with non-stick spray and placing two long strips of parchment paper in a cross shape in the pan, leaving an overhang.
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a medium bowl using a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla. Mix until fully combined.
- Add the flour mixture and mix until fully combined.
- Pat the dough into an even layer in the bottom of he prepared pan. If it is sticky you can dip your fingers in flour to keep it from sticking to your hands. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool while you make the filling.
For Filling:
- In a large bowl add the diced apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon or apple pie spice, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are fully coated. Allow to sit for five minutes.
- Melt the butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the apples and all of the juices that have released from the apples.
- Cook the apples for about 10 minutes or until the apples are tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool while you make the crumble topping.
For Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour, butter, and cinnamon or apple pie spice. Use clean hands or a fork to mix together until the butter is broken up and the mixture has a coarse texture.
- Place in fridge until ready to use.
For Assembly:
- Add the apple filling to the baked shortbread crust. Spread evenly to the sides.
- Sprinkle the cold crumble topping evenly over the apple filling.
- Place the apple crumble bars in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are bubbly and the top is lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool before cutting.
Notes
- Don't overmix. You need to mix your batter until all of the ingredients are JUST combined, otherwise, you will make too much gluten and your crust will be tough instead of fluffy.
- The provided nutrition information is an estimate. The calorie accuracy is not guaranteed.
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