Pin These cinnamon apple crumb bars capture everything I love about classic apple pie but make it easier and totally portable. Each buttery square has a melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust, a layer of spiced apples, and a golden oat crumble on top. You get a cozy dessert perfect for chilly afternoons, family gatherings, or packed lunches all fall and winter.
I made these on a whim when I had leftover apples in late October. Now every time the weather cools I get requests from friends and family—they disappear fast whenever I bring a batch to a gettogether.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: Soft creamy butter gives richness and a delicate base and helps the crumb topping hold together Use a quality butter for best flavor
- Brown sugar: Adds a deep caramel note and keeps both crust and topping moist Choose fresh soft brown sugar
- Allpurpose flour: Ensures tenderness and structure through each layer Select unbleached if possible for superior texture
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness Use fine sea salt if you have it
- Apples: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape and give the best tartsweet balance Pick firm fruit with no bruises
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the apple filling without overpowering the spices Choose pure cane sugar
- Ground cinnamon: Brings out the apple flavor and adds that warm cozy scent Use fresh ground
- Ground nutmeg: Provides complexity and a touch of autumn warmth Freshly grated if possible is fantastic
- Fresh lemon juice: Keeps apples bright and prevents browning Use juice from a firm lemon
- Oldfashioned oats: Add heartiness and golden crunch to the topping Go for thickcut rolled oats
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F or 175°C and line a 9 by 13 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving extra over the edges for easy lifting later This ensures the bars release cleanly after baking
- Make the Shortbread Base:
- Cream the softened butter and brown sugar together in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 to 3 minutes This will look fluffy and pale Mix in the allpurpose flour and salt just until a soft dough forms Do not overmix as that keeps the crust tender Firmly press the dough into an even layer in the bottom of your lined pan Make sure there are no gaps or thin spots Bake the crust for 15 minutes until it’s just beginning to turn golden This bakes it enough to stay crisp when you add the juicy apple layer
- Prepare the Apple Filling:
- While the base bakes dice your apples into small even pieces to ensure an even bake Toss them in a large bowl with the granulated sugar allpurpose flour ground cinnamon ground nutmeg and fresh lemon juice Stir well so every apple cube is coated The flour thickens the filling as it bakes to avoid watery bars
- Make the Crumb Topping:
- In another bowl mix the allpurpose flour brown sugar and cinnamon together Use your fingers or a pastry blender to cut in the cold cubed butter until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs Finally stir in the oldfashioned oats for crunch and rustic texture The key is keeping the butter cold so the topping bakes up crispy
- Assemble and Bake:
- When the crust comes out of the oven scatter the coated apples evenly over the hot base so every bite will have fruit Sprinkle the crumb topping generously over the apples covering as much of the fruit as possible Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the topping is deep golden and you can see apple juices bubbling at the sides
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack The bars firm up as they cool making them easy to cut and handle Use the parchment paper to lift the whole block from the pan Slice into 16 equal bars and serve as is or top with ice cream for an extra treat
Pin I have never met anyone who does not reach for seconds with these bars My favorite part is the way cinnamon and brown sugar caramelize around the apple chunks in the middle I remember making these with my mom one crisp Thanksgiving morning and sneaking warm pieces before the guests arrived
Storage Tips
These bars keep beautifully The flavor actually gets better on the second day Store them covered at room temperature for up to three days If you want to freeze leftovers wrap each square in plastic wrap and keep in a freezer bag for easy treats anytime Warm a bar in the microwave or oven for that justbaked effect
Ingredient Substitutions
Use gluten free flour blends instead of regular flour for a wheat free batch If you do not have oats just add extra flour to the crumb topping Pears can sub for apples when they are in season and add a floral autumn twist You can also swap some of the brown sugar for coconut sugar
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a little whipped cream A generous pour of warm caramel sauce turns these into an irresistible dessert platter For coffee breaks I love them plain with a snappy mug of dark roast
Cultural and Seasonal Notes
Bars like these are inspired by country American baking where practicality meets comfort All the flavors of apple pie minus the hours of rolling and fuss Come apple season these bars fill the kitchen with nostalgia and cozy vibes
Seasonal Adaptations
Try using half apples and half pears for extra depth Add a few dried cranberries or walnuts for a fall twist Use cardamom instead of nutmeg for a new spice profile
Success Stories
One autumn my kids set up a mini bake sale on our porch These bars went before anything else and neighbors asked for the recipe at least three times This has become our official fall fundraiser recipe
Freezer Meal Conversion
Slice bars and freeze individually for grabandgo desserts They reheat perfectly and taste just as good weeks later Pack in lunchboxes or bring to holiday events straight from the freezer
Pin Serve these bars to celebrate fall or to warm up a winter afternoon You will want them on hand for cozy gatherings all season long
Recipe Questions
- → What types of apples work best for these bars?
Firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape and provide balanced sweetness and tartness.
- → Can these bars be made ahead of time?
Yes, they stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months for easy prep.
- → How should I store leftover bars?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- → Are these bars suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, they contain no meat or gelatin and are suitable for a vegetarian diet.
- → What is the best way to serve these bars?
They are delicious plain, but try them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.