Description
Irresistible Apple Walnut Crumble Bars bring classic comfort with a delightful twist of buttery crumb and warm spices. Homemade goodness awaits, promising sweet nostalgia and rustic charm you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 lbs (1.36 kg) apples (peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch slices)
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (227 g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
Filling and Spices:
- 3 tablespoons (37.5 g) granulated sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Crumble and Sweeteners:
- 1/3 cup (67 g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 g) lightly packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
- Create the base layer by blending softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in flour, salt, ground cinnamon, and finely chopped walnuts, mixing until just incorporated.
- Press approximately two-thirds of the dough firmly into the prepared pan, creating an even bottom crust. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to set, then bake for 18-20 minutes until achieving a light golden hue.
- While crust bakes, prepare apple filling by sautéing diced apples with melted butter, fresh lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg over medium heat for 15 minutes.
- Thicken the apple mixture by stirring in cornstarch, continuing to cook until the filling reaches a jam-like consistency and coats the back of a spoon.
- Once the initial crust has cooled, spread the warm apple filling evenly across the surface.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the apple layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Return to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and filling bubbles slightly.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan before slicing into individual bars for serving.
Notes
- Chill the crust to prevent spreading and ensure a crisp, sturdy base that holds together perfectly when sliced.
- Toast walnuts briefly before adding to the crust to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the bars.
- Use firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and balanced tartness in the filling.
- Make the bars gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same delicious taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 227 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 78 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 36 mg