Apple Crumb Bars Recipe – Perfect Fall Dessert Idea

If you are looking for a delicious Fall dessert idea, Apple Crumb Bars are the perfect treat to consider. Simple to make and easier to eat, this sweet bite is a family favorite and a must-try, especially when topped with vanilla ice cream.

Apple recipes are always popular this time of the year because odds are you have plenty of granny smiths lying around your kitchen! We just came back from a trip out East and brought home 15 pounds of apples which means I was on the hunt for plenty of new recipes requiring chopped apples and Fall flavors.

Apple Crumb Bars Recipe – Perfect Fall Dessert Idea

During this time of year, there are typically a few standard staples you will find in recipes – buttery crumb toppings, an apple layer, maybe even a pie crust? You can’t forget the scoop of vanilla ice cream, right?! No matter what combination you choose, odds are you will create the perfect Fall dessert that your family will love.

As far as today’s recipe is concerned, we focused on simple ingredients for the apple pie bars, and trust me they are really good! The bottom of the crust is chewy, the apples are soft and gooey and the crumb topping is both crunchy and crumbly. 

Ingredients: 

• 2lbs of your favorite apple type, about 6, small/snack size apples, peeled, core removed, and chopped
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup melted unsalted butter

How To Make Apple Crumble Bars

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9x13x2 pan with nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper. Set aside. 

Add apples, cornstarch, 1/4 cup brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon to a medium bowl and mix well. Set aside. 

Combine the rest of your dry ingredients – flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder to a large bowl and mix well. Stir in melted butter until the mixture is crumbly and no longer dry. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the prepared baking pan, pressing firmly into the pan with the back of a spoon to create the bottom crust. Sprinkle with apple filling and pour the crumble topping evenly over the top. 

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into 18 bars. 

Makes 18 bars

Tips and Variations

• You could add 1/4 teaspoon of lemon juice to add additional flavor
• To store, wrap apple bars in plastic wrap or in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
• If you want to give this dish more of a cinnamon apples feel, then add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon instead of one.
• If you only have old-fashioned oats, you could substitute that in for the oatmeal.
• I typically make this recipe with either Pink Lady, Granny Smith apples or Honey Crisp. They each offer a slightly different flavor. However, as long as you have fresh apples during apple picking season, you will be fine. Don’t get caught up on the TYPE because during the fall season, they all taste great!
• Want extra flavor? Make an easy salted caramel sauce or top your dessert with homemade whipped cream!
• Consider adding apple pie spice and extra dark brown sugar.
• Make sure you have extra apple slices to add to your streusel topping.
• Top with caramel drizzle. This is a personal preference.

Whenever I have plenty of apples, I love to whip up easy fall desserts! My family loves caramelized apples, apple cake, homemade apple pie, apple cider, and dutch apple pie, but this dish is so easy to make. The next time you come home from the apple orchard, give this apple crisp recipe a try. Isn’t apple season so much fun?

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