Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1/4 tsp salt
4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
1/4 cup cold butter (for topping)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in 3/4 cup of cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Step 3: Bake the crust for 15 minutes or until just slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Step 4: While the crust bakes, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl until evenly coated.
Step 5: In a small bowl, prepare the crumble topping by mixing the oats, 1/3 cup flour, and 1/4 cup cold butter until crumbly.
Step 6: Arrange the apple slices in an even layer over the par-baked crust.
Step 7: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple layer.
Step 8: Bake for an additional 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into 16 bars.
Notes
For best results, use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith. Ensure the bars are completely cool before slicing for the neatest squares.
- Prep Time: PT20M
- Cook Time: PT45M
- Category: Baked Goods
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: apple pie bars recipe, apple dessert, fall baking, shortbread crust, apple crumble bars
