Go Back
+ servings
Print

Apple Crumb Bars -- Small Pan

Apple bars with a nut and crumb topping.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 12
Author Cookie Madness

Ingredients

  • ¾ cups packed brown sugar
  • ¾ cups rolled oats
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ plus ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
  • teaspoon salt – use a little less if using regular salted butter
  • 10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter divided use
  • 2-3 small apples cored and thinly sliced or chopped
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice divided use
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 inch square metal pan with non-stick foil or line with parchment paper.
  • In a bowl or food processor, combine brown sugar, oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Cut in or process in 9 tablespoons of butter until mixture is coarse and crumbly. Reserve about ¾ cup for topping. Pat remaining into bottom of pan. It will seem dry, but it’s supposed to be.
  • Toss apples with half of the lemon juice and arrange in a fairly layer across crust. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
  • In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and water. Turn heat to medium and cook, whisking constantly, until mixture begins to boil and thicken. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, remaining 1 tablespoon butter and remaining teaspoon of lemon juice. Pour over apples.
  • Sprinkle reserved crumbs on top, then sprinkle pecans over crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-45 minutes or until top is lightly browned.
  • If you’d prefer bars that hold together, let the bars cool completely and then chill before cutting. You can bring them back to room temp after chilling, of course.