Apple Bars
Apple Bars are a delightful treat that blend the comforting flavours of baked apples with a crumbly oat topping, perfect for any occasion.
Servings: 12 bars
Calories: 250kcal
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 240 g all-purpose flour
- 135 g old-fashioned oats
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 150 g brown sugar
- 225 g unsalted butter, cold and cubed Important to use cold butter.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Apple Filling
- 3 medium apples, peeled and chopped Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for best flavor.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
For the Topping
- 60 g powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (for glaze) Adjust for desired consistency.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 23×33 cm (9×13 inch) baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
- Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Reserve 150g of this mixture for the topping. Then press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the lined baking pan to form the crust. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until lightly golden.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling. In another bowl, toss the chopped apples with lemon juice, cornstarch, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg if using.
- After removing the crust from the oven, spread the apple mixture evenly over it. Sprinkle the reserved topping mixture over the apples.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 30–35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
- For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled Apple Bars before serving.
Notes
Apple Bars are best enjoyed at room temperature. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra touch. You can also add a sprinkle of chopped nuts or caramel sauce on top.