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Apple Crisp Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 567 reviews

These Apple Crisp Bars combine a buttery, flaky base with a sweet and tart apple cinnamon filling, topped with a classic oat crumble. Perfectly baked to a golden finish, they offer a deliciously comforting dessert or snack that’s easy to make and enjoy any time of year.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Base

  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Apple Filling

  • 4 medium apples (about 600g), peeled and diced (preferably Granny Smith)
  • 1/3 cup (65g) brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch

For the Crisp Topping

  • 3/4 cup (90g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (45g) rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup (65g) brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease removal of the bars.
  2. Make the Base: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, then bake for 15 minutes until it just starts turning golden.
  3. Prepare the Apple Filling: While the base bakes, toss diced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and cornstarch. Taste-test a piece of apple to ensure the spice and sweetness are balanced. Spread this apple mixture evenly over the hot baked base.
  4. Whip Up the Crisp Topping: Combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in the cold butter until pea-sized crumbs form. Sprinkle this crisp topping evenly over the apple layer.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly. Avoid cutting right away and allow the bars to cool slightly for better structure.
  6. Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Once cooled, slice into bars and serve.

Notes

  • Using parchment paper simplifies removing the bars and prevents sticking.
  • Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tart flavor, which balances the sweetness.
  • Don’t overwork the butter into the topping mixture to maintain a crunchy texture.
  • Allowing the bars to cool fully ensures they hold together when sliced.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and confirm oats are certified gluten-free.

Keywords: apple crisp bars, apple dessert bars, cinnamon apple bars, baked apple dessert, easy apple crisp recipe, oat topping dessert

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/apple-crisp-bars-recipe/