Picture a warm plate of apple crisp bars, with the comforting aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg filling your kitchen.
These delightful bars aren’t only easy to make, but they also evoke a sense of cozy indulgence that’s perfect for any occasion.
As the apples bubble and the oat crust turns golden, you’ll witness simple ingredients transforming into a truly special treat.
Let’s bring this delicious dessert to life!
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 8×8 inch baking dish
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 medium saucepan
- 1 whisk
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 sharp knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 measuring cup set
- 1 measuring spoon set
- 1 pastry cutter or fork
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups apples, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking Apple Crisp Bars, here’s a suggested timeline:
- Preparation Reading Time (5 minutes):
- Read through the entire recipe and instructions to familiarize yourself with the process and ingredients.
- Ingredient Gathering and Equipment Setup (5 minutes):
- Gather all the ingredients and equipment listed.
- Prepping Ingredients and Preheating the Oven (10 minutes):
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel and dice the apples.
- Measure out all other ingredients.
- Mixing and Preparing the Oat Mixture (5 minutes):
- In a mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt.
- Add melted butter and mix until crumbly.
- Pressing the Oat Mixture (5 minutes):
- Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Cooking the Apple Mixture (10 minutes):
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine apples, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
- Cook until the mixture thickens and becomes bubbly.
- Assembling the Dish (5 minutes):
- Pour the apple mixture evenly over the oat crust in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the apples.
- Baking Time (40 minutes):
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Cooling Time (30 minutes):
- Allow the Apple Crisp Bars to cool in the dish for 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
Adjust the timing as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt.
Add melted butter to the oat mixture and mix until crumbly.
Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine apples, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
Cook the apple mixture until it thickens and becomes bubbly.
Pour the apple mixture evenly over the oat crust in the baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the apples.
Bake for 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Allow to cool in the dish for 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
Serving Tips
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve warm apple crisp bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic and creamy contrast.
- Whipped Cream: Top with a dollop of whipped cream for an airy, sweet addition.
- Caramel Drizzle: Add a drizzle of caramel sauce to enhance the sweetness and add a rich flavor.
- Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch and depth of flavor.
- Fresh Berries: Accompany with fresh berries, such as raspberries or blueberries, for a burst of freshness and color.
Storage
Store Apple Crisp Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week.
Alternatively, freeze for up to 3 months.
Freezing
To freeze Apple Crisp Bars, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
Place them in an airtight container.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving for ideal texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat Apple Crisp Bars, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Warm for 10-15 minutes. This method maintains a crisp texture.
Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
Final Thoughts
Apple Crisp Bars are a delightful dessert that combines the comforting flavors of apples and oats.
These bars are perfect for any occasion, offering a delicious balance of sweetness and spice.
With a simple preparation process and readily available ingredients, they’re a great choice for both novice and experienced bakers.
Be certain to let the bars cool completely before slicing to guarantee clean cuts.
Enjoy them on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make Apple Crisp Bars Gluten-Free?
Yes, substitute 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Verify it’s a 1:1 replacement blend. Check oats for gluten-free labeling. Mix thoroughly to maintain texture and press firmly for structural integrity.
What Are Some Apple Substitutes for This Recipe?
You can substitute apples with pears, using 3 cups peeled and diced. Confirm pears are slightly firm to withstand baking. Adjust sweetness by reducing granulated sugar to 1/8 cup. Follow the same preparation and cooking techniques.
Are There Vegan Alternatives for the Butter?
You can substitute the butter with 1/2 cup of coconut oil or 1/2 cup of vegan margarine. Confirm it’s melted before mixing with the dry ingredients for proper consistency and a crumbly texture in your recipe.
How Can I Make the Bars Less Sweet?
To reduce sweetness, decrease granulated sugar to 2 tablespoons and brown sugar to 3/4 cup. Incorporate 1 tablespoon lemon juice into the apple mixture for tanginess. Adjust to taste by gradually adding sugar if necessary.
Is It Possible to Add a Caramel Layer?
You can add a caramel layer by heating 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in a saucepan until it caramelizes. Pour over the apple layer before the final oat topping, then bake as directed.
Apple Crisp Bars
Equipment
- 1 8×8 inch baking dish
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Medium saucepan
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 sharp knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 measuring cup set
- 1 measuring spoon set
- 1 Pastry cutter or fork
Ingredients
- 2 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cup apples peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt.
- Add melted butter to the oat mixture and mix until crumbly.
- Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine apples, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
- Cook the apple mixture until it thickens and becomes bubbly.
- Pour the apple mixture evenly over the oat crust in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the apples.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Allow to cool in the dish for 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
Notes
