Apple Bars Recipe
These homemade Apple Bars feature a buttery oat crust topped with a spiced, tender apple filling and a crumbly streusel topping. A simple powdered sugar glaze adds a touch of sweetness, making these bars perfect for a snack, dessert, or breakfast treat during apple season.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
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
- 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
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Make the Crust and Topping Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1½ cups of this crumb mixture for the topping.
- Bake the Crust: Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the crust is lightly golden and set.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: While the crust bakes, toss the chopped peeled apples with cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using). Let the mixture rest for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld and for the cornstarch to absorb moisture.
- Assemble and Bake Bars: Spread the apple filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb topping evenly over the apples. Return to the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly around the edges.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper edges. Mix powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to make a drizzle glaze and spread it over the cooled bars, or enjoy them plain.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best flavor and texture.
- Ensure the butter is very cold for a crumbly, flaky crust and topping.
- Letting the bars cool thoroughly helps the filling set properly before slicing.
- Optional nutmeg adds warm spice but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Adjust the milk amount in the glaze to achieve your desired consistency.
Keywords: apple bars, apple dessert, oat crust, cinnamon apple bars, easy apple recipe, fall dessert
Find it online: https://stirringwithstella.com/apple-bars-recipe/
