Apple Pie Bars with Oat Streusel
A delightful twist on classic apple pie, these bars feature a buttery crust, luscious apple filling, and a crumbly oat streusel topping, perfect for any gathering or cozy evening at home.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 1/4 cups softened unsalted butter Ensure at room temperature
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour Foundation for the crust
- 1 teaspoon salt Helps elevate sweetness
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Infuses the crust with warmth
For the Apple Filling
- 6-8 pieces apples (about 3 lbs, a mix of Granny Smith and Pink Lady, cored, peeled, and thinly sliced) The star of the show
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon (for filling)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 2 tablespoons juice of lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch Helps thicken the filling
- 1/2 cup water As needed to cook apples evenly
For the Oat Streusel Topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats Adds hearty texture
- 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark) Sweetness for the streusel
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour Binds streusel ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon salt Elevates the taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Infuses streusel with flavor
- 1/2 cup chilled unsalted butter, cut into cubes Essential for crumbly streusel
Instructions
Prepare the Oat Streusel
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in the chilled butter until the mixture starts to clump together. Refrigerate while preparing the crust.
Make the Crust
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy. Slowly mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Press dough into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Bake the Crust
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake crust for 18 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool for a few minutes.
Prepare the Apple Filling
- Toss sliced apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. In a small bowl, mix lemon juice and cornstarch to create a slurry, then pour over apples. Cook apples over medium heat for 5-8 minutes until softened slightly, adding water if needed.
Assemble the Bars
- Spread apple filling evenly over the cooled crust. Sprinkle oat streusel topping generously over the filling.
Final Bake
- Lower oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 30-35 minutes until streusel is golden brown and apples are bubbling. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
For a delightful twist, serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. These bars can be prepared ahead of time and make great snacks or desserts for gatherings or family dinners.