Description
These Apple Crumble Bars combine a buttery, crumbly base with a spiced apple filling, topped with a crisp oat crumble. Perfect for a dessert or a sweet snack, these bars are easy to whip up and bake, and they pair beautifully with salted caramel sauce and ice cream for an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Base & Crumble
- 125g / 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups (300g) plain/all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) white sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup (30g) rolled oats
Apple Filling
- 3 – 4 large granny smith apples, cut into 0.7cm / 1/3″ dice (~4 cups)
- 1/4 cup (35g) plain flour
- 1/4 cup (50g) white sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Serving
- Salted caramel sauce
- Ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare it for baking the bars.
- Prepare the pan: Grease a 20cm (8″) square baking pan and line it with parchment or baking paper with an overhang on the sides so you can lift the bars out easily after baking.
- Make the base mixture: In a bowl, combine melted butter, plain flour, white sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix until there are no visible white flour streaks.
- Add egg and mix: Incorporate the egg into the base mixture thoroughly until well combined.
- Form the base layer: Lightly press about two-thirds of the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a firm base.
- Bake the base: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the base turns slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Prepare apple filling: While the base is baking, mix the diced granny smith apples with flour, white sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl until evenly coated.
- Add apple filling: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the cooled base layer in the pan.
- Top with crumble: Sprinkle the reserved one-third of the base mixture along with the rolled oats evenly over the apple layer, creating a crumble topping.
- Bake the bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden and the apples are tender.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment overhang, cut into 9 to 12 pieces, and serve topped with salted caramel sauce and ice cream for an extra indulgent finish.
Notes
- Note 1: Rolled oats add a pleasant texture to the crumble topping; you can substitute with quick oats if preferred.
- Use Granny Smith apples for a tart flavor that balances the sweetness of the bars.
- The bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
