Apple Crumble Bars

Don’t have time to make a whole apple pie but want a good apple dessert to have anyway? Look no more! These apple crumble bars taste like fall and are super easy to make!

I know that a good apple pie can’t be replaced, but if you’re in a hurry and need to make a quick dessert for your Thanksgiving dinner, this recipe is a fantastic backup. Or, don’t wait for a Thanksgiving dinner and just make this for yourself!

Easy, convenient, versatile

Crumble bars are so versatile and convenient. You can use my crumble bar base and add whatever filling you want! I have definitely made this with so many different flavors, but since it’s fall, I thought I’d post the recipe with spiced apples.

The best thing about this apple crumble bars recipe is that if you still want this to be even easier and you only want to dirty one bowl, you can use pre-made, canned apple pie filling! Just 1 to 1.5 cups of apple pie filling will do, depending on how apple-y you want this to be. The only reason I prefer to make the filling from scratch is that I can control the sweetness level, while depending on which brand of pie filling you get, it may be a bit too sweet.

Feel like trying other flavors? No problem! I’ve used berry jams, preserves, etc. when I’m craving something sweet and easy. Again, you can use 1 to 1.5 cups of whatever filling you choose. Easy-peasy, right?

Tools you’ll need

Apple Crumble Bars

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 40 minutes 40 minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 5 voted )

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Ingredients

Crumble base

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2/3 cup pecans (chopped)
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cardamom (optional)
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

 

Apple filling*

• 3 honeycrisp or granny smith apples (diced)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 small lemon (juiced)

 

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, add your apple filling ingredients (apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and lemon juice) and mix together so that the apples are evenly coated by everything. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, add all your dry ingredients (flour, oats, chopped pecans, both sugars, baking soda, kosher salt, and spices) and mix together. Then, add your melted butter and combine everything until you don't see spots of dry flour anymore. They should stick together kinda like cookie dough.
4. In a greased 8x8 square pan, pour 2/3 of your crumble mixture and press down until the crumble base is evenly spread and flat at the bottom of the pan.
5. Add your apple filling and evenly distribute it over the crumble base. Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 of the crumble to top off the apple filling. Feel free to break up some of the larger chunks to your preference. I usually like to have different sizes of crumble chunks. 
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes. The crumble topping should be golden brown.
7. Cool for about 15-20 minutes before cutting into it. I like to use my little fan to expedite this process. Enjoy!

Notes

*If you want to make this even easier, you can use canned apple pie filling instead! You can add about 1 to 1.5 cups of apple pie filling.

• // ON THE SCENE

  • Back backdrop: Replica Surfaces — Herringbone Marble
  • Bottom backdrop: Replica Surfaces — Cement
  • Props: wooden tray, glass vase with dried flowers, jar of flour