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two apple crumble bars stacked on top of each other on a metal pan.
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Apple Crumble Bars

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!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 16 bars
Calories 200kcal

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:

  • 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.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 25.8g | Protein: 2.5g | Fat: 10.8g | Saturated Fat: 6.7g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 1.4g | Sugar: 16g | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg