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Apple Pie Crumble Bars

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Apple Crumb Bars - Apple Pie Crumble Bars

Winter brings an abundance of apples and this apple pie crumble bars are a perfect way to celebrate it. The apple pie filling is flavored with pumpkin spice and nutmeg. And, the rich, buttery shortbread crust soaks up all the wonderful apple juices. That is topped with more shortbread crust for a crisp buttery crumble. This apple crumb bar will soon be your favorite fall treat.

Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel topping
Classic Bars with Apple Pie Filling and Crumble Topping, Apple Crumb Bars,

It's mid-October and the weather is still fairly warm during the day with the nice cool winter breeze in the evenings. With all the wonderful apples in the season, there is no way I'd miss an opportunity to make my apple pie crumble bars.

If you see the video below I made a double batch and took them with me to family and friends. They were so popular last year that I knew they'd be gone in an instant and that's exactly what happened.

About these apple pie crumble bars

These are an absolute classic and a perfect bite-size dessert to take with you when invited to a get-together. The bars have messy crumbs, and yet no one complains, because they are buttery and tender, and filled with sweet, soft apple pie filling. Also, the crumble top is tender and buttery that just melts in your mouth with every bite.

This recipe is surprisingly easy and simple to make. The crumble mixture works for the base and top, so you don't have to make it twice and it can be made ahead of time. The apple pie filling is so easy you can make it while the top is baking. The best part if you are planning a party, these are easy to make ahead of time and stored in the fridge.

How to make these apple crumb bars

As I already mentioned, the process is fairly simple and easy to make. So here's the process at a glance:

  • Make the crumble mixtures (up to 5 days ahead).
  • Divide the crumble mixture for top and bottom.
  • Press half crumble mixture into the pan for the base.
  • Bake the base - 15 mins.
  • Make the Apple Pie filling
  • Spread the apple pie filling over the base.
  • Top with the remaining crumble mixture.
  • Bake the top - 30 mins.
  • Cool, cut into 16 squares.
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel topping
Classic Bars with Apple Pie Filling and Crumble Topping, Apple Crumb Bars

So, Let's talk ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin) 

  • Apples - I like to use a combination of tart firm apples like granny smith that hold their shape well after cooking as well as some eating apples like gala or golden delicious that become soft, tender and pulpy.
  • Sugar - Personally, I like my crumble topping to be a lighter color so I prefer to use white sugar. But with apple, I like the caramel flavor you get from brown sugar.
  • Unsalted Butter - I always use unsalted because I like to control the amount of salt I use. If you use salted butter that's fine, just omit salt in the recipe. Margarine or veg shortening works as well, and yet they both will affect the texture of the crumble - margarine has a bit more liquid, so you may need to use a tad less. And veg shorting will make the crumble topping more crispy.
  • Rice flour - adds a shortbread kinda crisp to the crumble. That top crunch really makes a huge difference. If you don't have rice flour you can use more all-purpose flour just as well.
  • Spice mix - In winter my go-to spices are usually pumpkin spice, gingerbread, ground ginger, and nutmeg. Apples work wonderfully with these species and they add to the warmth of the apple. Sometimes, I can b a bit non-traditional, go with a pinch of garam masala.

Useful Tips and Tools 

  • You can bake these crumble squares in an 8 x 8-inch square cake pan or 7 x 9 Sheet Pan - Today I'm using a square cake ring. I love these because you can use them for so many projects by just adjusting the size. And you don't have to buy too many sizes.
  • A food processor works best to cut butter into the flour without melting the butter too much.
  • And yet, a simple bowl and your trusty finger will do the job just as well.
  • Also, make sure to preheat the oven before you start mixing the ingredients.
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel topping
Classic Bars with Apple Pie Filling and Crumble Topping, Apple Crumb Bars

How to Make Apple Pie Crumble Bars - Apple Crumb Bars (Save/Pin)

  • Preheat oven to 190 C / 380 F.
  • Use an 8 x 8 square cake pan or a 7 x 9″ rectangle pan.

Prepare the base and top

  • Chop butter into cubes.
  • In a food processor bowl - add flour, sugar, salt, vanilla, spice mix, and butter.
  • Pulse a few times - until crumbly. Not too much.
  • Pour into two separate bowls - one for the base and one for the top.
  • I use a little extra for the base and less for the topping.
  • Keep the bowl for the crumble topping in the fridge to stay cold until ready to use.
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel toppingApple Pie Crumble Bars Progress Pictures1
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel toppingApple Pie Crumble Bars Progress Pictures3
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel toppingApple Pie Crumble Bars Progress Pictures2
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel toppingApple Pie Crumble Bars Progress Pictures4

Bake Base

  • Add the 2 tbsp of milk to the mixture for the base - mix to combine
  • Then pour the mixture into the baking pan.
  • Use the back of a spoon to press it down firmly.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 mins until lightly golden but not cooked thru.
  • Cool for 5 minutes.

Prepare Apple Pie filling

  • Peel, core and chop the apple into small cubes
  • Add the lemon juice and combine well - this will prevent discoloration.
  • Then add the sugar, honey, pumpkin spice, salt, nutmeg - mix well.
  • Lastly, add the flour and toss to combine.
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel toppingApple Pie Crumble Bars Progress Pictures5
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel toppingApple Pie Crumble Bars Progress Pictures7
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel toppingApple Pie Crumble Bars Progress Pictures6
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel toppingApple Pie Crumble Bars Progress Pictures8

Top with Apple Pie Filling

  • Pour the apple pile filling over the baked base.
  • Spread evenly so every slice of crumble gets cherry filling in the middle.

Crumble top

  • Remove crumble topping from the fridge.
  • Evenly spread the topping all over the filling.
  • The more uneven the better it bakes.
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel toppingApple Pie Crumble Bars Progress Pictures9
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel toppingApple Pie Crumble Bars Progress Pictures10

Bake and Cool

  • Continue to bake in the oven for another 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly golden.
  • Cool completely.
  • Once cooled cut into squares and serve.
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel topping
Classic Bars with Apple Pie Filling and Crumble Topping

Frequently asked questions

Can I add oats to this apple pie crumble bars?

Yes, you can substitute one cup of flour with one cup of oats. Keep everything else the same and follow the same process.

Can I add nuts to these apple pie crumble bars?

Cherries pair well with almonds, pistachios, and macadamia. I often add cashew nuts and make these as cashew cherry bars.

Can I make these apple crumble squares with shortbread crusts?

The base and the top used in this is a shortbread crust recipe. So yes, these are apple bars with a shortbread crust.

Can I bake this in a tart?

You can make a delicious apple crumble tart but it would be easier to use my recipe for Apple crumble tart instead. It uses a shortcrust pastry that can be rolled which would work better for a tart.

What other fruit can I use instead of apples?

You can also use blueberries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and even strawberries. I highly recommend these
Blueberry Cream Cheese Crumb Bars
Apricot Crumble Squares
Cherry Pie Crumble Bars

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Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel topping
Classic Bars with Apple Pie Filling and Crumble Topping
Learn to make the perfect crumble bar with apple filling and streusel topping

Apple Pie Crumble Bars

Author: Veena Azmanov
5 from 15 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Calories: 221kcal
Adjust Servings Here: 16 Squares

Description

Winter brings an abundance of apples and this apple pie crumble bars are the perfect way to celebrate these. The apple pie filling flavored with pumpkin spice and nutmeg on top of rich, buttery shortbread crust which soaks up all the wonderful apple juices which again is topped with more shortbread crust for a crisp buttery crumble.
ADJUST SERVINGS HERE - 16 Squares

Ingredients

Base and crumb topping

  • 1 1/2 cup (190 g) All-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (40 g) Rice flour or almond meal
  • 3/4 cup (170 g) Butter unsalted, chilled, cubed
  • 1/2 cup (110 g) Brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp Milk
  • 2 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pumpkin spice
  • 1/4 tsp Ginger ground
  • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg freshly ground

Apple pie filling

  • 2 cups (250 g) Apples chopped -4 large apples
  • 2 tbsp Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Honey
  • 1 tsp Pumpkin spice
  • 2 tbsp All-purpose flour or cornstarch
  • 4 tbsp (60 g) Melted butter
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Nutmeg freshly ground

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 190 C / 380 F.
  • Use an 8 x 8 square cake pan or a 7 x 9″ rectangle pan.

Base and crumble topping

  • Chop butter into cubes.
  • In a food processor bowl – add flour, sugar, salt, vanilla, spice mix, and butter.
  • Pulse a few times – until crumbly. Not too much.
  • Pour into two separate bowls – one for the base and one for the top.
  • I use a little extra for the base and less for the topping.
  • Keep the bowl for the crumble topping in the fridge to stay cold until ready to use.

Bake the base

  • Add the 2 tbsp of milk to the mixture for the base – mix to combine
  • Then pour the mixture into the baking pan.
  • Use the back of a spoon to press it down firmly.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 mins until lightly golden but not cooked thru.
  • Cool for 5 minutes.

Apple pie filling

  • Peel, core and chop the apple into small cubes
  • Add the lemon juice and combine well – this will prevent discoloration.
  • Then add the sugar, honey, pumpkin spice, salt, nutmeg – mix well.
  • Lastly, add the flour and toss to combine.
  • Pour the apple pile filling over the baked base.
  • Spread evenly so every slice of crumble gets cherry filling in the middle.

Crumble top

  • Remove crumble topping from the fridge.
  • Evenly spread the topping all over the filling.
  • The more uneven the better it bakes.

Bake and cool

  • Continue to bake in the oven for another 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly golden.
  • Cool completely.
  • Once cooled cut into squares and serve.

Equipment

Food Processor
Kitchen Scale
Mixing Bowl
Square C.Pan 8
Nutrition Information
Calories: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 214mgPotassium: 49mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 363IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg

The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you

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Author - Veena Azmanov

Veena Azmanov

Veena is the author of three blogs - Veena Azmanov, Cake Decorating Tutorials, and East Indian Recipes.
She writes about cooking, baking, desserts, and cake decorating. Being a professional cake decorator and food blogger for over ten years she has been featured in many online magazines and publications around the world. On her blogs, you will find delicious, easy and practical recipes often with instructional videos and tutorials for the home cook.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kelly Anthony

    I love your idea of adding garam masala to this apple pie crumble to make it a little different.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thanks Kelly. I do love garam masala.

      Reply

  2. Sarah

    You know I am dying to go apple picking and now I know exactly what to do with them apples!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Oh you must make these Sarah. So good.

      Reply

  3. Chris Collins

    These apple crumble bars look beyond delish! Can't wait to try the recipe 🙂

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thanks, Chris.

      Reply

  4. Neha

    In love with the texture of these bars! I want them in my mouth right now!!! Also, they sound so easy to put together, need to try them soon!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      They are so easy to make, Neha. You must try

      Reply

  5. Patty

    This is the perfect way to use up all the apples in the house! The crumb topping is to die for!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thanks, Patty. I love crumbs so much

      Reply

  6. Sally Humeniuk

    Oh my gosh, Veena! I was looking for a unique recipe for a bunch of apples that I was just gifted and this is it. I love that you can make the topping ahead of time and really appreciated your how-to pictures. I think I can almost smell the goodness!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Yes, these were so good Sally. You must try. So easy to make too.

      Reply

  7. Gloria

    I love apple season. These bars look delicious. Perfect for brunch...or a take-along dessert to a party.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Me too, Gloria. Love apple season.

      Reply

  8. Ilana

    I knew I had to make these the moment I saw the video on your Facebook page. I made it yesterday and it was all gone..So good. Everyone was raving how perfect these were. Not too sweet and not too wet. Moist, delicate and buttery just like a crumble has to be. Thank you for sharing your recipes with us.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Yes!!..... Thank you, Ilana. It was the same here too. Everyone loves it. I love how you described them - they are just as you say moist, delicate, buttery but not too wet. Appreciate you coming back to write this feedback.

      Reply

  9. Jolina

    Apples, pumpkin spice, nutmeg and shortbread. What's not to love?? This is delicious.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Absolutely, Jolina. Always a perfect combination

      Reply

  10. Tamenia

    I made these bars yesterday and they were so good. I am planning to make them again this week. Would it be ok to double the recipe? I need to make a big batch for home as well as take with me to friends. I have a big bucket of apple to use up.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thank you, Tamenia. So happy you enjoyed this recipe. Absolutely, you can double this recipe and make a big batch. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback

      Reply

  11. sarah johnson

    Yum! These look so good. You just reminded me how much I want to make Apple bars ASAP 😀

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thanks, Sarah

      Reply

  12. Tisha

    These are great for feeding a crowd!!! So perfect for a holiday get together!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Absolutely, perfect crowd pleaser

      Reply

  13. Leanne

    Crumb bars are one of my favourite desserts! Probably because they work so well for breakfast too! These apple pie crumble bars are perfect for fall and the abundance of apples. I can almost smell them baking up in my kitchen!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Yes, mine too. Love crumb bars.

      Reply

  14. Jessica Formicola

    These crumb bars are amazing! I am going to make them again for Thanksgiving!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thanks, Jessica. So happy you liked them so much. Appreciate you coming back to write this feedback.

      Reply

  15. Dannii

    This looks like the perfect autumn treat. I love apple desserts.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Me too, Dannii. Love apples.

      Reply

  16. Denise

    This looks delicious, and much easier to make than a pie. I need to get some apples to make your recipe.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thanks, Denise. This is definitely so easy

      Reply
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