Apple Crumble Bars Recipe: Perfect for Fall

Welcome fall with this recipe for these tasty Apple Crumble Bars! With an oatmeal and walnut shortbread crust and heavenly spiced apple pie filling, this apple bars recipe will be perfect for an after-school snack or as the finish for a lovely fall dinner.

Raise your hand if the thought of the soul-warming taste of an apple pie without the hassle of making a pie crust would make your day! ✋✋✋✋✋

Then, my friends, consider your day made!

You could just as easily call this an apple pie bars recipe with the delightfully spiced apples or an apple oatmeal bars recipe given the oatmeal and walnut shortbread crust or apple crisp bars, but I’m opting for Apple Crumble Bars given the simple crumble topping sprinkled over the apple pie filling. But whatever title we give it, you’ll soon be calling it your favorite fall apple dessert recipe!

And if the allure of an easy apple dessert bar isn’t quite enough, consider that this recipe is a great way to use up those slightly past-prime apples (you know, the ones with kinda wrinkly skin and maybe a tad mealier than you would like!).

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Can you Make and Freeze Apple Crumble Bars?

You absolutely can freeze apple crumble! You can make parts of it ahead of time and assemble it at the last minute. Make and freeze the apple pie filling and the shortbread crust months in advance, putting these tasty apple crumble bars together just before dinner and thrilling everyone with a delightful and aromatic dessert.

Tools I Used to Make Apple Crumble Bars:

• A Stand Mixer sure comes in handy
• Parchment Paper
• Baking Pans

Teapot

Apple Crumble Bars

Yield: 12-18 bars

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Refrigerated Time : 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Delightfully tasty Spiced Apple Crumble Bar with simple crumble topping on Oatmeal Shortbread Crust. The crust and the apple pie filling can be made ahead of time and assembled at the last minute.

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Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 4 sticks (1 pound) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

For the Apple Filling:

• 3 pounds apples (use a mix of apples), peeled, cored, quartered and sliced into 1/8" slices
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
• pinch of allspice
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter

Instructions

For the Crust:

1. In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix butter, both sugars and vanilla extract on medium speed for approximately 2 minutes, until light and creamy.
2. Combine flour and salt and slowly add to butter mixture with the mixer on low and beat until just combined
3. Place parchment in a baking pan (see notes)
4. Remove 1/3 of dough and place it in a bowl and then put it in the refrigerator.
5. Press remaining dough into the pan, pushing lightly with floured hands to even it out.
6. Refrigerate the crust for 20 minutes and preheat your oven to 375°
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown.
8. Set crust aside

For the Apple Filling:

1. Combine sliced apples with lemon juice, sugar, spices and mix well.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet, add the apples and simmer over medium-low heat until apples are soft and any liquid has evaporated. Slow from time to time to make sure apples are not sticking to the bottom.

To Make Bars:

1. Spread apples evenly over the baked crust, leaving a 1/2" border on the edges.
2. Crumble the reserved, refrigerated dough over the bars and bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping is nicely golden brown.
3. Let cool before cutting.

Notes

You can make the crust and the apples in advance and then assemble the bars just before the final baking.

You can use a 9" by 12" baking dish or 2 smaller 9" by 9" baking dishes. If using the 2 smaller pans, know that your crust will be slightly thinner, but we thought it was just fine. Baking times were the same.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Pyrex Easy Grab Glass Bakeware Set with Red Lids (4-Piece)
• 
  KitchenAid KSM8990NP 8-Quart Commercial Countertop Mixer, 10-Speed, Gear-Driven, Nickel Pearl
• 
  Kirkland Signature Non Stick Parchment Paper 205 sq ft (Twin Pack)

Did you make this recipe?

It would be great if you could take a minute and leave a comment below, as well as how many stars you think it deserves. Help other readers by asking any questions you have or sharing any modifications to the recipe. I'd love to hear how you served it! If you are on Instagram, then tag @nourishandnestle on Instagram and hashtag it #nourishandnestle! Many Thanks

If you are looking for other apple recipes to celebrate the season’s harvest, check these out:

• Cinnamon Apple Swirl Bread
• Individual Skillet Apple Crumbles
• Apple Cider Muffins with Apple Filling
• Apple Spice Bread
• Spiked Warm Caramel Apple Cider

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Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!