Apple Bars Recipe

Introduction

These apple bars combine a buttery oat crust with a sweet, spiced apple filling, creating a perfect treat for any time of day. With a crumbly topping and a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, they offer all the comforting flavors of apple dessert in a convenient bar form.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for crust and topping)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold butter, cut into small cubes
• 4 cups peeled, chopped fresh apples
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for apple filling)
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1½ cups of this mixture for the topping.
3. Step 3: Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake for 10–12 minutes until just lightly golden.
4. Step 4: While the crust bakes, toss the chopped apples with the cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg if using. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
5. Step 5: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the warm baked crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb topping evenly over the apples.
6. Step 6: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbly around the edges.
7. Step 7: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled bars before cutting and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
• For a nutty crunch, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top before baking.
• Swap the nutmeg for ground ginger or allspice to change up the spice profile.
• Make the glaze thicker or thinner by adjusting the milk quantity to your liking.

Storage

Store the apple bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week. To reheat, warm individual bars in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or enjoy them cold.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples instead of fresh?

Fresh apples work best to maintain texture, but you can use thawed, drained frozen apples if needed. Be sure to remove excess moisture to avoid a soggy crust.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free for a safe alternative.

Apple Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 123 reviews

These Apple Bars are a deliciously buttery and crumbly dessert with a tender baked apple filling, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect as a sweet treat or afternoon snack, they combine a crisp oat and flour crust with a gooey apple layer, finished with a simple powdered sugar glaze.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Crust and Topping

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for crust and topping)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold butter, cut into small cubes

Apple Filling

• 4 cups peeled, chopped fresh apples
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for apple filling)
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

Glaze

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars later.
2. Make Crust and Topping Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1½ cups of this mixture for the topping.
3. Bake Crust: Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Place it in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes until it’s lightly golden and firm enough to hold the filling.
4. Prepare Apple Filling: While the crust bakes, toss the chopped peeled apples with cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and optional nutmeg. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to meld the flavors and thicken slightly.
5. Assemble the Bars: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the hot baked crust. Then sprinkle the reserved crumb topping evenly over the apples.
6. Bake the Bars: Return the assembled pan to the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbly around the edges.
7. Cool and Glaze: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, whisk together powdered sugar and milk to form a glaze and drizzle over the bars before slicing and serving, or enjoy them plain as desired.

Notes

• Use crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture.
• Make sure the butter is very cold for a crumbly topping texture.
• Letting the bars cool completely before glazing helps the glaze stay on top without melting into the bars.
• You can omit the nutmeg if you prefer a less spiced apple filling.
• For easier slicing, refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes after glazing.

Keywords: apple bars, baked apple dessert, crumb topping bars, cinnamon apple bars, homemade apple dessert