Apple Pie Bars

I don’t know where you live… but here in the Hudson Valley, it’s slowly but surely beginning to feel like Fall!

The mornings are cold and crisp. Almost all of the trees have begun their transformation from green to orange, red, and yellow. And our farmers market hauls have transitioned from tomatoes and peppers to apples and pumpkins. No cranberries yet! But I have a feeling they’ll be making their debut within the next few weeks.

But for now, it’s ALL about apples! We love almost any dessert involving baked apples, but these apple crisp bars are a household favorite. My fiance and I both have a lot of self-control when it comes to dessert (we kind of have to given my profession lol). But we couldn’t stop eating these!!! Charlie said they were so good he literally “couldn’t concentrate on what I was saying” while he was eating one. They’re THAT good! So I’d recommend not trying to have any serious conversations while enjoying these apple crumb bars lol. You’ve been warned 😉

Apple Crumb Bar Recipe

• butter: preferably unsalted, but salted will work in a pinch! just omit the salt called for.
• brown sugar: light or brown sugar work fine!
• granulated sugar: any brand will work!
• all-purpose flour: be sure not to pack your flour! instead lightly spoon it into the measuring cup then level it with the flat edge of a knife.
• salt: balances out the flavors and cuts the sweetness.
• apples: cored, peeled, and thinly sliced. you’ll want 8 cups of apple slices, which is about 8 large apples. I love using granny smith, but any variety will work.
• lemon juice: from a fresh lemon! a small amount will keep the apples from browning.
• cinnamon: adds a cozy spice! essential for apple crisp!
• oats: for our crisp topping! use old-fashioned oats, not instant!
• salted caramel sauce: optional! but if you love the caramel apple flavor combo, I highly suggest it! use a store bought variety or learn how to make easy salted caramel sauce with this recipe.
• vanilla ice cream, for serving! whipped cream would be equally delicious.

How to make Apple Crisp Bars

Shortbread Crust

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing a few inch overlap on two of the ends. This will help you get the bars out of the pan easily! Spray the pan and parchment paper with non-stick baking spray. Then set it aside while you make the shortbread!
2. Beat the butter and both sugars together until light and fluffy. Fold in the flour and mix until combined. The dough will be crumbly! This is normal!
3. Press the dough evenly into bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 16 minutes, or until the dough is slightly golden and puffed. Don’t worry if it looks soft! It will continue baking later!
4. Remove from oven, place on a cooling rack, and set aside. Keep oven at the same temperature.

Apple Filling

1. Peel, core, and slice your apples! Don’t slice them too thick or too thin. About 1/4″ is perfect.
2. In a large bowl, combine the apples and the lemon juice. Toss really well to ensure all of the apples are coated. Then toss in the flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until the apples are thoroughly coated.
3. Arrange the sliced apples in a semi-even layer on top of the partially baked crust. Set aside while you quickly make your crumb topping!

Oatmeal Crisp Topping

1. Cut butter into cubes and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, both sugars, cinnamon, and flour. Add in the cubed butter and, using two forks or a pastry blender, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until oat mixture resembles a coarse meal. Sprinkle topping evenly over the apples.
3. Bake, uncovered, for 45 to 50 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and the apple mixture is bubbling. Let cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Have too many apples and no idea what to do with them? Try one – or all – of these fabulous apple recipes!

Apple Recipes

• Salted Caramel Apple Crisp
• Apple Pie Doughnuts
• Chai Spice Apple Crisp
• Overnight Apple Pie French Toast
• Salted Caramel Apple Scones
• Easy Apple Cranberry Crisp 

The Best Apple Crisp Bars

Ashley Manila

The Best Apple Crisp Bars feature a brown sugar shortbread crust, plenty of apples, and a buttery crumb topping! Bake until the top is golden and serve with vanilla ice cream! Sure to become one of your favorite apple desserts!

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Inactive Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 2 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 1 pan (9x13)

Ingredients

 

For the Shortbread Crust:

• 1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 and 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

For the Apple Filling:

• 8 cups apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 Tablespoons flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Oatmeal Crisp Topping:

• 8 ounces unsalted butter, cut into cubes, at room temperature
• 1 and 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

 

For the Shortbread Crust:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).  Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper, allowing paper to overhang on two of the ends. Spray with non-stick baking spray and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. On low speed, add flour and mix until combined.  The dough will be crumbly.
• Press dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 16 minutes. Remove from oven and set on a cooling rack to cool as you prepare the filling. Keep oven temperature at 350. 

For the Apple Filling:

• In a large bowl, combine apples and lemon juice and toss to coat. Add in the cinnamon, flour, sugar, and salt. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Arrange apples in an even layer on top of the partially baked crust.

For the Oatmeal Crisp Topping:

• Cut the butter into small cubes.
• In a large bowl, combine the oats, both sugars, cinnamon, and flour. Add in the cubed butter and, using two forks or a pastry blender, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until mixture resembles a coarse meal.
• Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples. 
• Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.
• Remove from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack. Cool for at least 1 hour before serving. 

Notes

• 8 cups of apples is approximately 8 medium apples. 
• Apples should be sliced thin, about 1/4" in thickness. 
• For best results, I suggest using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples.
• Store bars, covered with aluminum foil, at room temperature for 48 hours. 

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