Apple Crisp Bars (with fresh apples)
These Apple Crisp Bars are made with a layer of fresh apples and warm cinnamon, topped with a delicious streusel, then drizzled with icing. Yum! This easy recipe is baked in a single pan, making these apple crisp bars very impressive and oh-so-delicious.
Before making these bars, I realized I hadn’t made a dessert in a long time, especially something with apples. I always make batches of our easy apple crisp pies by default, and maple walnut apple crisp which by the way is at the top of our favorite Thanksgiving dessert recipes. But since we still have an abundance of apples, this recipe for these apple crisp bars came to my mind, and they are so much easier!
Apple crisp bars are wonderful for breakfast, in school lunchboxes, or just served as a treat with some afternoon coffee or tea.
Apple Crisp Bars Recipe Ingredients
I saw this recipe in a magazine and decided to modify some of the ingredients, including reducing the amount of sugar and butter. Also, this recipe called for chopped walnuts, which I didn’t have on hand. And, it was just as well – since my daughter is highly allergic to all nuts. The result? These apple crisp bars still turned out amazingly delicious!
- All-Purpose Flour: Look for “unbleached” all-purpose flour, and if you can get organic, that is even better.
- Rolled Oats: Use organic rolled oats, and not instant. These oats are used in the mixture for the streusel.
- Butter: You will need unsalted butter, and 2 sticks of it. One stick is needed to be cold, and the other should be slightly melted.
- Sugar: I decided to use only brown sugar for this recipe, and less of it. It was the perfect amount.
- Cinnamon: Our favorite ground cinnamon is the one warm spice needed for these apple crisp bars. And, it was perfect!
- Apples: We used Honey Crisp apples for their sweet flavor. But, you can use any apple of your choice.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is needed to balance the sweetness of the apples.
- Powdered Sugar: Is needed to make the icing that is drizzled on top before cutting into bars.
How To Make Apple Crisp Bars?
Find the printable recipe card with measurements below. There are a few easy steps to making this apple dessert. It takes about 20 minutes to prep, and 25 minutes to bake. And, here is a brief explanation of making them.
Make the Streusel: Combine some flour with the oats. Then cut in the cold butter until well incorporated. You can use a pastry cutter or with a fork. The mixture will be very crumbly. Then chill it.
Make the Crust: 1.)Beat the softened butter with brown sugar. 2.)Then beat in some flour. 3.) The mixture will be soft and very crumbly. 4.) Pour the crust into your prepared 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
Bake the Crust: Press the crumbly mixture on the bottom of the baking pan. You can press it down using your fingers (as I did) or with the bottom of a measuring cup. Bake at 350 F(180C) for 15 minutes.
Prepare the Apple Filling: Mince 2 apples, using an electric food chopper, and measure 2 cups. Then stir the minced apples with some flour, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. Spread the apple filling (in a single layer) over the partially baked crust.
Top with the Streusel: Remove the chilled streusel from your refrigerator. Scatter it over the apple filling. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes. Remove from oven, and allow the apple crisp to cool completely before drizzling with the icing.
Make the Icing: Meanwhile, make the icing, drizzle over the cooled apple crisp, and cut into bars.
Storage Tips
To Store: Best to store the bars in a sealed container and keep them chilled in the fridge. They will stay fresh longer and even taste better.
To Freeze: Also, store these bars in an airtight container, and place them into the freezer. They will freeze well for up to one month.
If you love apple desserts and treats, then don’t forget to try our Apple Cinnamon Blondies, Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake, and Apple Crumb Coffee Cake.
… and ENJOY!!
More Easy & Delicious Fruit Bars…
- Strawberry Pineapple Crumble Bars
- Best Orange Crumb Bars
- Lemon Blueberry Crumble Bars
- Raspberry Lemon Crumble Bars
- Blackberry Lemon Crumble Bars
Your Comments Help Us! Tried this recipe? Let us know and leave a comment below and don’t forget the stars ⭐… and thank you! 🙂
Apple Crisp Bars
These Apple Crisp Bars are loaded with flavors from fresh apples, rolled oats, and aromatic cinnamon. This easy recipe is baked in a single dish, making these apple crisp bars impressive and oh-so-delicious.
Ingredients
- 3 cups, plus 2 Tbsp. unbleached all-purpose flour - divided
- 2/3 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter - cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, very softened (slightly melted)
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 cups packed of minced Honey Crisp Apples (about 2 large apples peeled and minced)
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
FOR THE ICING:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 to 1 Tbsp. water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees (180C). Line a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Set it aside.
- For the streusel, combine 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of flour and the rolled oats. Cut in the cold butter until well incorporated. (The mixture will be lumpy.) Chill while preparing the crust and apple mixture.
- For the crust, beat softened butter with 3/4 cup packed brown sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Then beat in 2 + 1/4 cups of flour. (The dough will be very soft and crumbly.) Press dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
- For the apple mixture, meanwhile, stir together the remaining 1/4 cup of flour, and cinnamon. Add the minced apples and lemon juice, and toss to combine.
- Spread the apple mixture over the partially baked crust. Sprinkle with the chilled streusel on top.
- Bake on the center rack for 25 to 28 minutes, or until lightly browned and set. Cool in pan. Chill the pan for at least one hour.
- For the Icing: whisk together the powdered sugar and water to make the icing. Increase the water in teaspoons as needed. Drizzle over cooled bars. Then cut into bars and serve.
Notes
Tips and Tricks...
1. Best to chill the pan (with a fully baked apple crisp) and place it directly into the fridge. Make room somewhere in your fridge to fit the baking pan. This will allow the cold apple crisp to cut easily into bars.
2. This apple crisp can be sliced into any size. and they don't need a fork.
3. Also, store the bars in a sealed container and keep them chilled in the fridge. They will stay fresh longer and even taste better.
4. They freeze well too and for up to one month.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 servings Serving Size: 1 serving (1 bar)Amount Per Serving: Calories: 185Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2.3gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 28mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 5.5gSugar: 17gProtein: 2.5g
Happy Baking …and have a delicious day!
thanks for stopping by…
xo anna and liz
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