Apple Bars Recipe

Introduction

These apple bars are a delightful treat that combine tender, cinnamon-spiced apples with a buttery oat crust and crumbly topping. Perfect for dessert or a comforting snack, they offer a lovely balance of sweet and tart flavors in every bite.

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 your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Reserve 1½ cups of this crumb mixture for the topping.
3. Step 3: Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake this crust for 10–12 minutes until it’s lightly golden.
4. Step 4: While the crust bakes, combine the chopped apples with cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg if using. Let this mixture sit for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Step 5: Spread the apple filling evenly over the baked crust, then sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture on top.
6. Step 6: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 30–35 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly around the edges.
7. Step 7: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper. For an optional sweet finish, drizzle a glaze made by mixing powdered sugar and milk over the cooled bars.

Tips & Variations

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance with the sweet topping.
• Chill the butter before cutting into the flour mixture to help create a crumbly texture.
• Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the topping for extra crunch.
• Try swapping the nutmeg with a pinch of ground ginger or cloves for a different spice profile.

Storage

Store the apple bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to enjoy warm bars. They also freeze well for up to 2 months—thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples instead of fresh?

Fresh apples provide the best texture, but if using frozen, thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture which could make the bars soggy.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

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

Apple Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 186 reviews

These delicious Apple Bars feature a buttery oat crust and crumbly topping with a spiced apple filling. Perfectly balanced with cinnamon and nutmeg, these bars are ideal for a cozy dessert or snack.

• Author: Stella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 16 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 Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Make Crust and Topping Mixture: In a large bowl, mix together flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter cubes using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Set aside 1½ cups of this crumb mixture for the topping.
3. Bake Crust: Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake in the oven for 10–12 minutes or until lightly golden and set.
4. Prepare Apple Filling: While the crust bakes, toss the peeled and chopped apples with cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg if using. Let this mixture rest for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld and the cornstarch to start thickening the juices.
5. Assemble Bars: Spread the apple filling evenly over the partially baked crust. Then sprinkle the reserved 1½ cups of crumb mixture on top to form the topping layer.
6. Bake Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
7. Cool and Add Glaze: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Combine powdered sugar and milk to create a glaze, then drizzle it over the cooled bars. Serve as is or chilled.

Notes

• Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced sweet-tart flavor and structure.
• Chilling the butter before cutting it in helps create a crumbly texture.
• Let the bars cool fully to ensure clean slicing and prevent the filling from spilling.
• You can omit the glaze or substitute with a simple caramel drizzle for variation.

Keywords: apple bars, apple dessert, oat crust, crumb topping, cinnamon apple bars, easy apple recipe