Dutch Apple Crumble Bars

Get ready to create a truly irresistible dessert with our recipe for Dutch Crumble Apple Pie Bars. This cozy, comforting treat offers a delightful twist on classic apple pie, making it the perfect choice for fall gatherings, holiday feasts, or simply anytime you crave something warm, sweet, and wonderfully spiced. Featuring a tender shortbread crust, a luscious cinnamon-apple filling, and a buttery, crisp crumble topping, these bars are not just incredibly delicious but also surprisingly easy to prepare. Say goodbye to complicated pie crusts and hello to a fuss-free dessert that will impress everyone!

Looking for more apple inspiration? Explore these delightful recipes: 6 Apple Fall Baking Recipes, Caramel Glazed Apple Crumble Coffee Cake, and 25 Apple-icious Desserts That’ll Tempt You. You’re sure to find your next apple baking adventure!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Easy Dutch Apple Pie Bars

There’s something uniquely comforting about a warm apple dessert, and these Dutch Crumble Apple Pie Bars take that comfort to a whole new level. Imagine sinking your teeth into a treat that combines the best elements of a classic apple pie with the convenience of a bar cookie. The star of the show is undeniably the rich, buttery, brown sugar crumble topping that bakes to a perfect golden crisp, offering a delightful texture contrast to the tender apples beneath. Nestled underneath this heavenly crumble are freshly baked apples, generously seasoned with a harmonious blend of warm cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg, creating a filling that’s both sweet and subtly spiced.

All of this goodness rests upon a sturdy yet delicate shortbread crust, which provides a buttery foundation that perfectly complements the apple and crumble layers. Unlike traditional apple pies that can often be daunting with their intricate crust work, these bars simplify the process without compromising on flavor or appeal. They are an absolute dream for busy bakers or anyone looking for a scrumptious, homemade dessert that feels gourmet but is incredibly straightforward to make. From the first intoxicating aroma that fills your kitchen to the last delectable bite, these Dutch apple bars promise an experience of pure, unadulterated yumminess!

The Secret to Effortless Apple Dessert: Making Dutch Crumble Bars

Crafting these homemade Dutch Apple Dessert Bars is a remarkably simple process, making them an ideal choice for bakers of all skill levels. The beauty lies in the layered assembly, where each component comes together to create a cohesive and flavorful whole. You start by preparing the shortbread crust, which is a breeze whether you use a food processor for speed or a pastry cutter for a more traditional approach. Once the dough is formed, it’s pressed firmly into an 8×8 inch baking pan and pre-baked for just 15 minutes. This crucial step ensures a wonderfully crisp, golden-brown base that won’t become soggy under the apple filling.

While your crust is warming up in the oven, you can swiftly prepare the other components. First, mix your crumble topping ingredients and set them aside. Then, move on to your apples, slicing them thinly and tossing them with cinnamon and sugar until beautifully coated. We love using Granny Smith apples for their perfect balance of tartness and firm texture, but many varieties work well. For more insights on selecting the best apples for baking, check out Bon Appetit’s guide on The Best Apples for Baking. Once the crust is ready, the magic happens: layer the seasoned apples on top, followed by a generous sprinkling of the rich crumble topping. Then, it’s back into the oven for the grand finale. The aroma that will soon waft through your home is nothing short of intoxicating – a true sign of the deliciousness to come! If you appreciate an outstanding crumble topping, you might also like our Best Crumble Topping Recipe for future baking endeavors.

Speaking of intoxicating scents, one of our most popular apple desserts, the Awesome Country Apple Fritter Bread, has even been featured on Food Network and holds the #1 apple recipe spot on Pinterest! If you haven’t had the chance to try it, it comes highly recommended and is perfect for sharing with friends and family during any holiday season.

Essential Ingredients for Your Dutch Crumble Apple Pie Bars

The beauty of these Dutch Crumble Apple Pie Bars lies in their reliance on simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create extraordinary flavor. You likely have most of these staples in your pantry already, making this a convenient recipe to whip up whenever a craving strikes. Quality ingredients, especially fresh apples and good butter, will truly make these bars shine. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

For the Buttery Shortbread Crust

• Unsalted butter, at room temperature, to ensure a smooth, creamy base.
• Granulated sugar, providing the perfect touch of sweetness to the crust.
• Vanilla extract, enhancing the overall flavor with its warm, aromatic notes.
• All-purpose flour, the structural foundation for a tender yet firm crust.

For the Spiced Dutch Apple Filling

• Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 3 ½ – 4 cups). While Granny Smiths are our favorite for their tartness and firm texture, feel free to use Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, or any other firm baking apple.
• Granulated sugar, to balance the tartness of the apples and create a sweet, syrupy filling.
• All-purpose flour, acting as a thickening agent for the apple juices, preventing a watery filling.
• Ground cinnamon, the star spice that gives these bars their signature cozy aroma and flavor.
• Ground nutmeg, a subtle addition that complements the cinnamon beautifully, adding depth to the apple flavor.

For the Golden Crumble Topping

• Brown sugar, providing a rich, molasses-like sweetness and helping the topping achieve a lovely caramelization.
• All-purpose flour, essential for creating the crumbly texture of the streusel.
• Chilled butter, cut into cubes. Keeping the butter cold is key to achieving a perfectly crumbly, not cakey, topping.
• Salt, a pinch to enhance all the sweet flavors and balance the richness.
• Optional: A dash of cinnamon, for an extra boost of warm spice in your topping.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake Irresistible Dutch Apple Bars

Follow these detailed instructions to create your own batch of delicious Dutch Crumble Apple Pie Bars. The process is broken down into easy, manageable steps to ensure baking success.

1. Prepare Your Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Take an 8×8 inch baking dish and spray it generously with cooking spray. For effortless removal and serving, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to create “handles.” This simple trick will make lifting the cooled bars out of the pan incredibly easy.

Crafting the Buttery Shortbread Crust

1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process incorporates air, contributing to the crust’s tender texture.
2. Add Vanilla and Flour: Stir in the vanilla extract until just combined. Then, gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing on low speed until the flour is fully incorporated and the dough comes together in a crumbly, yet cohesive, texture. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough crust.
3. Press and Pre-Bake: Press the prepared dough evenly and firmly into the bottom of your lined baking pan. Use the back of a spoon or your fingertips to ensure a compact and smooth layer. Bake the crust for 12-14 minutes, or until it’s slightly puffed and the edges just begin to turn a pale golden color. Remove the crust from the oven and set it aside to cool slightly while you prepare the apple filling. Keep the oven heated at 350 degrees F.

Assembling the Spiced Dutch Apple Filling

1. Combine Apple Ingredients: While the shortbread crust is pre-baking, prepare your apple filling. In a large bowl, combine the thinly sliced peeled and cored apples. Add the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Toss everything together gently until the apples are evenly coated with the spice and sugar mixture. The flour helps thicken the apple juices during baking, preventing a soggy filling. Set this aside.

Creating the Golden Crumble Topping

1. Mix Crumble Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt. Add the chilled butter, cut into small cubes. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. If you prefer, a food processor can achieve this quickly with a few pulses. For an extra layer of flavor, you can optionally mix in ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon at this stage. Set the crumble topping aside.

Final Assembly of Your Dutch Apple Bars

1. Layer Apples: Ensure your oven temperature remains at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Carefully spread the prepared apple mixture in an even layer over the partially baked shortbread crust. Make sure the apples are distributed uniformly for consistent baking.
2. Sprinkle Crumble: Generously sprinkle the crumble topping over the apple layer, ensuring it covers the apples thoroughly. Don’t press it down; allow it to remain loose and crumbly.
3. Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish back into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. The bars are ready when the crumble topping is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a knife (you can check a corner for this). The house will smell absolutely divine!
4. Cool and Chill: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2 hours at room temperature. For cleaner slices and a firmer set, it’s best to then refrigerate them for another 2 hours. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Store any leftover bars in an airtight container.

Storing and Serving Your Delicious Apple Crumble Bars

Once your delectable Dutch Crumble Apple Pie Bars have cooled completely, you’ll want to ensure they’re stored properly to maintain their freshness and flavor. These bars are a fantastic make-ahead dessert, perfect for potlucks, parties, or simply enjoying throughout the week. For optimal enjoyment, slice the bars into individual servings after they’ve had ample time to cool and firm up. Store them in an airtight container, or if keeping them in the baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap before placing them in the refrigerator. This will keep them fresh for up to 3-4 days. You can easily take them out of the fridge as needed for a quick treat.

Creative Serving Suggestions & Variations

While these Dutch Apple Crumble Bars are absolutely divine on their own, there are many ways to elevate them and cater to different tastes:

• For a Crunchier Topping: Enhance the texture and flavor of your crumble by mixing in some chopped pecans, walnuts, or even toffee bits. These additions provide an extra layer of delightful crunch.
• For More Texture: If you love a heartier topping, add a quarter to half a cup of old-fashioned oats to the crumble mixture. This gives the streusel a wonderful chewiness and nutty flavor.
• Drizzle with Glaze or Sauce: Serve the bars as is, or take them up a notch with a simple drizzle. A vanilla glaze made from powdered sugar and milk, or a rich caramel sauce, can transform them into caramel apple pie bars.
• Pair with Ice Cream: For an incredibly indulgent experience, warm up an apple bar slightly in the microwave and pair it with a huge scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The warm apple and cold ice cream combination is truly sinful and screams “FALL!”
• Add a Touch of Citrus: A little lemon zest in the apple filling can brighten the flavors and add a subtle tang.

Scaling Up: Dutch Apple Bars for a Crowd

These incredibly delicious apple pie bars have a tendency to disappear quickly, especially when serving to friends and family. If you’re planning to cater to more than just a few people, it’s easy to double the recipe. Simply use a larger 9×13 inch baking dish instead of the 8×8 inch pan. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time for the crust and the assembled bars, but always keep an eye on them for that perfect golden brown finish. Doubling the recipe ensures there’s enough of this quintessential apple comfort food for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Dutch Apple Pie Bars

Here are some common questions you might have when making these delicious bars:

Q: Can I use different types of apples?

A: Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tartness and firm texture, you can experiment with other firm baking apples like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, or Pink Lady. A mix of two or three varieties can add complexity to the flavor profile. Just make sure they are firm enough to hold their shape during baking.

Q: How do I prevent a soggy crust?

A: The key steps to a non-soggy crust are pre-baking it as directed and ensuring you use flour in the apple filling to absorb excess moisture released by the apples during baking. Also, make sure your apples are thinly sliced, not chunky, to allow for even cooking and moisture release.

Q: Can I make these bars ahead of time?

A: Yes! These bars are fantastic for making ahead. Bake them, let them cool completely, then refrigerate. They often taste even better the next day as the flavors meld. They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Q: Can I freeze Dutch Apple Pie Bars?

A: Yes, these bars freeze beautifully. Once completely cooled, cut them into individual servings. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or warm gently in the microwave or oven.

Q: What if my crumble topping isn’t crumbly enough?

A: If your crumble is too sticky, it might be that your butter wasn’t cold enough, or you overmixed it. For best results, use very cold butter cut into cubes and mix just until coarse crumbs form. If it’s too fine, you can try chilling the mixture briefly before sprinkling it over the apples.

This Dutch crumbleapple pie bars recipe offers an easy and delightful way to create a truly comforting dessert that will be enjoyed by all. As we’ve explored, by simply combining warm spices with sweet apples and finishing with a crisp and crumbly topping, you’ve got a cozy and satisfying treat that can impress even the most experienced pie-baker. At the end of the day, these Dutch crumble apple pie bars are a perfect example of how the simplest ingredients can be transformed into something truly extraordinary. For even more apple-inspired culinary adventures, make sure to check out our 45 Must-Try Best Apple Dessert Recipes!

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More Apple Favorites You’ll Adore

• Dutch Apple Pie with Oatmeal Streusel
• Salted Caramel Chip Apple Blondies
• Apple Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
• Cinnamon Applesauce Cake
• Farmhouse Apple Walnut Loaf
• Awesome Country Apple Fritter Bread

Other Decadent Desserts to Explore

Beyond apples, we have a world of sweet treats waiting for you! Try these fantastic recipes:

• Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
• Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
• Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies
• Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

Recipe slightly modified from Food Network