The Best Apple Crisp Bars
User Reviews
5
The Best Apple Crisp Bars
Description
This recipe begins by preparing a shortbread crust from butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and flour, which is pressed into a pan and partially baked until lightly golden. Meanwhile, apples are peeled, cored, and thinly sliced before being tossed with lemon juice, cinnamon, flour, sugar, and salt to distribute flavor evenly and prevent browning. The apple mixture is spread on the cooled crust.
The oatmeal crisp topping is made from butter, old fashioned oats, sugars, cinnamon, and flour, combined into a crumbly mixture and sprinkled over the apple layer. Baking the assembled bars melds the layers, creating a tender fruity interior beneath a crunchy, cinnamon-scented oat topping. The bars can be cut into squares and served as a snack or dessert with a firm texture from the crust, softness from cooked apples, and a sweet, lightly spiced topping.
Using tart apple varieties such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp preserves a pleasant balance of flavors. The bars keep well at room temperature covered, making them convenient for making ahead.
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Crust:
- 1 cup (227g) butter room temperature, unsalted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Apple Filling:
- 8 cups apple peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Oatmeal Crisp Topping:
- 8 ounces butter cut into cubes, at room temperature, unsalted
- 1 and 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
For the Shortbread Crust:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper, allowing paper to overhang on two of the ends. Spray with non-stick baking spray and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. On low speed, add flour and mix until combined. The dough will be crumbly.
- Press dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 16 minutes. Remove from oven and set on a cooling rack to cool as you prepare the filling. Keep oven temperature at 350.
For the Apple Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine apples and lemon juice and toss to coat. Add in the cinnamon, flour, sugar, and salt. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Arrange apples in an even layer on top of the partially baked crust.
For the Oatmeal Crisp Topping:
- Cut the butter into small cubes.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, both sugars, cinnamon, and flour. Add in the cubed butter and, using two forks or a pastry blender, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until mixture resembles a coarse meal.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack. Cool for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Use approximately 8 medium apples, peeled and sliced about 1/4 inch thick for the filling.
- Prefer tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balanced flavor.
- Store the bars covered with foil at room temperature up to 48 hours for best freshness.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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