Apple Bars
Cozy fall flavors come together in these delightful apple bars featuring baked apples with a crumbly oat topping, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the crust and topping
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed Ensure butter is cold for proper texture
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
For the filling
- 3 cups apples, peeled and chopped Mix of sweet and tart apples recommended
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice Prevents browning of apples
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk Adjust for desired glaze consistency
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Mix well.
- Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles crumbs with pea-sized pieces.
- Set aside 1 ½ cups of mixture for topping. Press the rest into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Baking
- Bake the crust for 10–12 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Meanwhile, in another bowl, toss chopped apples with lemon juice, cornstarch, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Spread the apple mixture over the baked crust.
- Sprinkle reserved topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for an additional 30–35 minutes, until topping is golden and apples bubble.
Finishing
- Cool completely in the pan before glazing.
- Whisk together powdered sugar and milk to create a glaze and drizzle over cooled bars.
Notes
Serve warm or cool with ice cream or as a picnic treat. Dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch.