Description
These Apple Crumble Bars are the ultimate cozy treat, featuring a buttery shortbread base, a spiced tart apple filling, and a perfect golden streusel topping. They capture the nostalgic warmth of apple pie without the hassle of a traditional crust. Ideal for busy home bakers, these bars are easy to slice and share, making them a crowd-pleaser for brunches or weeknight desserts. Enjoy the heavenly scent of cinnamon and caramelized fruit in every bite, especially when served warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9 inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to work the mixture until it becomes a crumbly dough.
Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared dish to form a solid base.
In a separate bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
Layer the spiced apple mixture over the shortbread base.
Sprinkle the remaining one-third of the crumb mixture over the top of the apples.
Bake for 35–40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares for clean, perfect servings.
Notes
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Substitutions: If you are out of Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisp or Braeburn varieties work beautifully as a firmer substitute.
Serving: Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an elevated dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg