Oh yeah. It’s definitely Fall here in Germany. Leave leaves are changing colors, the weather has turned brisk and cold and the apples are calling my name!
This past weekend I picked up a big bag of mini Granny Smith Apples for my family to take in their lunches at school & work, but… hehehe… they didn’t make it to their lunches. Today I decided to bake something with them. Not just anything… something that screams FALL and DELICIOUS and that would make my house smell like HEAVEN.
I succeeded. Let me introduce you to my friend the Apple Pie Bar. This bar has a super yummy crust topped with caramelized apples and a crumble topping that’s so gooood. I’m not sure if my family will have more than just one to sample when they get home today… they might all end up in my belly!
So if you have some apples in your fridge and an hour to spare… make these bars for your family (or yourself). They’re gonna love you for it!
Recipe inspired by Annie’s Eats and My Baking Addiction
Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/3 cup flour
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
Filling
- 6 small Granny Smith apples - sliced, peeled and cored
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp light brown sugar, not packed
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp corn starch
Topping
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, not packed
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold & cubed
- 1 cup quick oats
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat oven to 375 F degrees. Line 8x8 baking dish with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine all the dry ingredients. Add the butter.
- Pulse 6-7 times or until a crumbly dough forms and most of the butter has been broken up and incorporated.
- Press into baking dish.
- Bake 15-20 minutes or until edges begin to brown.
Filling
- While the crust is baking, prepare the filling.
- In a large frying pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
- Add the apples, sugars and spices and mix until combined.
- Bring mixture to a simmer and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the apples just begin to become tender.
- Add the corn starch and stir GENTLY 2-3 minutes or until it becomes thick.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool until crust is ready.
Topping
- In the food processor, pulse together 4-5 times everything except the quick oats. DO NOT OVER PULSE. You want the butter to be in chunks, but not completely combined.
- Fold in the oats.
Assembly
- After the crust has cooked to golden edges, pour over the apple filling.
- Sprinkle the topping over the apples and spread to the edges. NOTE: I only used about 2/3 of the topping, but feel free to use all or as much of it as you like.
- Bake at 375 F degrees for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown in color.
- Cool completely before removing from pan and cutting. You may want to cool them in the refrigerator to help set them up before cutting.
Michelle
Thursday 27th of September 2012
These look so wonderful.. I love this time of year and recipes like this is one of the main reasons!
Helen Flood
Wednesday 26th of September 2012
These look AMAZING! Have to try a batch! Fall is screaming my name. Thanks!