Apple Pie Crumble Bars {Guest Post}

By Lauren L // September 23, 2013 // 9 comments //

This sweet and crunchy apple pie crumble bar recipe will leave you wanting another piece! It’s everything you expect from a slice of pie but in a convenient bar; a buttery crust, flavorful apple pie filling, and a sweet and crunchy crumb topping.

GUEST POST: Apple pie crumble bars by Keep It Sweet Desserts

Hi Baked by Rachel readers! I’m Lauren, the owner, baker and recipe developer behind Keep It Sweet Desserts, an online bakery specializing in artisanal mail-order treats. It is perfect timing for a guest post on Rachel’s blog, since later this fall I’ll be buried in butter, sugar and chocolate.

I’m really excited to be a part of An Apple a Day again this year! Last year I posted one of my favorite fall recipes, so I knew it would be hard to top that this time around. You know what, though, I think I at least came close!

While I love apple pie, I like the ease and convenience of a bar-like-treat even more. These Apple Pie Crumble Bars are made with three components: a buttery crust, flavorful apple pie filling, and sweet and crunchy crumb topping. My husband offered to help me in the kitchen the day I made them so I put him to work on the apple filling and the rest was a breeze!

You know what else I loved about these? You could serve them as-is at a casual pot-luck or party with many desserts, or dress them up with some vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce. Oh, and they are great for baking ahead of time. You can just wrap them up when cooled and freeze them for up to a few weeks. This definitely amps up the convenience factor!

Print Recipe

Apple Pie Crumble Bars

These Apple Pie Crumble Bars are full of three delicious layers: a buttery crust, flavorful apple pie filling, and a sweet and crunchy crumb topping.

Prep Time1

Cook Time50

Total Time1 30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Apple

Servings: 24 bars

Ingredients

Crust:

12 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
6 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 1/2 C all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

Filling:

3 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
1/4 C light brown sugar
6 medium-sized apples
1/2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 pinch nutmeg
1/2 C water

Topping:

2 C rolled oats
1 C all purpose flour
3/4 C light brown sugar
1/2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
12 Tbsp unsalted butter cold, cubed

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 375°F degrees and line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper.
Prepare crust; in the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and slowly add flour and salt just until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Press dough onto bottom of prepared baking pan so that bottom is completely covered. Bake for 20 minutes or until crust is lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside until filling and topping are ready to use.
While crust is baking, prepare apple pie filling; Melt butter with brown sugar in skillet(s) over low-medium heat (see note). Add apples and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened (about 10 minutes). Stir cinnamon and nutmeg into apple mixture and continue to cook until the apples are caramelized and liquid has evaporated, about 10 more minutes; if apples begin to stick to skillet(s) during this time, add a little bit of water to prevent burning.
Set filling aside to cool and prepare topping.
To make crumb topping, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
Use two knives to cut the cold butter into oatmeal mixture; you can then use your hands to combine the mixture until the topping is in clumps about the size of a pea.
Place apple filling over crust and then press crumb topping down lightly over apple layer so that it is completely covered.
Bake for about 30 minutes in center of oven or until topping is lightly browned and set.
Store bars at room temperature up to three days.

Notes

I recommend using a very large skillet or dividing the apple pie filling ingredients into two medium-sized skillets for ease of working.
These bars can be made up to one month in advance. When bars are baked and cooled, wrap tightly in foil and store in freezer until day of serving.

An apple a day party at bakedbyrachel.com

Convenience of pie in a bar form?! I was sold before even getting to that part. Hello breakfast, snack and dessert! Thanks for the fantastic recipe Lauren! -Rachel

You can find Lauren on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Be sure to check out these other recipes by Lauren:
Salted brown butter M&M cookies, Rugelach three ways and Peanut butter cup Heath bar brown butter cookies.

9 Responses to “Apple Pie Crumble Bars {Guest Post}”

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1

Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen — September 23, 2013 at 7:24 am

Gorgeous apple pie crumble bars! Pinned!
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2

Lauren at Keep It Sweet — September 23, 2013 at 7:38 am

Thank you so much for having me again this year! I love the Apple a Day Series and was thrilled to be a part of it:-) One day we will get to have a real life apple party!
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  Rachel — September 23, 2013 at 6:36 pm
  
  I know! We really should :) Thanks for joining the party again!!
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3

Amy @Very Culinary — September 23, 2013 at 4:16 pm

Yes, please (with or without the caramel and ice cream on top) – no altering needed!
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4

Javi Trulove @ T3treats — September 23, 2013 at 4:48 pm

I think this is a good way to make some snacks bar for the go… to have a little treat in my bag for those boring afternoons at the office… Thanks for sharing this
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5

Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts — September 23, 2013 at 6:04 pm

These look amazing! I’d love one right about now! ;)
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6

Gaby — September 23, 2013 at 6:59 pm

Brilliant to turn apple pie into a bar! I’d be snacking on these all day long!!
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7

Lynn @ The Actor's Diet — September 23, 2013 at 7:58 pm

Lauren, I love you.
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8

Beth — September 23, 2013 at 9:28 pm

Apple desserts are the best! I can’t wait to try these.

Apple Pie Crumble Bars {Guest Post}