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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup rolled oats - 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended) - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract To make these Cinnamon Streusel Apple Pie Bars, you need a few simple ingredients. Each one plays a key role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture. First, you will use all-purpose flour as the base for your crust. It gives your bars structure. The sugars, both granulated and brown, add sweetness and depth. Brown sugar also brings a hint of caramel flavor. Next, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth. They fill your kitchen with an amazing aroma. Baking powder and salt are essential for the right rise and balance. Unsalted butter gives your crust richness. You want it softened so it mixes easily. Rolled oats add a nice chewiness and crunch to the streusel topping. For the fruit filling, apples are the star! I recommend Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They have a great balance of tart and sweet. Tossing the apples with lemon juice, cornstarch, and vanilla extract makes them even better. Lemon juice brightens the flavor, while cornstarch helps thicken the filling. Gather these ingredients, and you’re ready to bake! It’s simple and rewarding. You’ll love the taste of these bars, fresh from your oven. First, you need to preheat your oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C). This heat makes the bars bake well. Next, prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish. You can grease it lightly or line it with parchment paper. This helps the bars come out easily after baking. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Combine 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Then, add 1 cup of softened unsalted butter. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix until it looks like coarse crumbs. Now, stir in 1 cup of rolled oats. This gives the crust a nice texture. Press about 3/4 of this mixture into the bottom of your prepared dish. Save the rest for the topping. For the apple filling, take 4 medium apples. Peel, core, and dice them into small pieces. In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for flavor. Mix well until the apples are coated. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust. Make sure to cover all the crust with apples. Now, take the reserved oat mixture and crumble it over the apples. This will be your streusel topping. Make sure to cover the apples completely. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes. You want the top to be golden brown and the apples tender. Once baked, let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. If you used parchment paper, lift the bars out. Then, let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut the bars into squares or rectangles. Enjoy your delicious cinnamon streusel apple pie bars! For apple pie bars, I like using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples. These apples have a great balance of sweet and tart flavors. Granny Smith apples are crisp and firm, which helps them hold their shape while baking. Honeycrisp apples bring a natural sweetness. You can even mix both types for added depth in flavor. Always pick fresh, firm apples for the best taste. A crunchy streusel topping makes these bars stand out. To get that perfect texture, use cold butter. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse crumbs. Adding rolled oats gives the streusel a hearty bite. Make sure to sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples. This ensures every bite has that delicious crunch you want. Every oven is a bit different. If your oven runs hot, check the bars a few minutes early. If you live at a high altitude, you may need to bake a bit longer. The apples should be tender, and the top should be golden brown. Use a toothpick to test the center. If it comes out clean, your bars are ready to cool. {{image_2}} You can make these bars even better by adding nuts. Chopped pecans or walnuts add a nice crunch. Mix about 1 cup of nuts into the streusel topping. This will give the bars a rich flavor and texture. If you love nuts, this is a great choice. If you need a gluten-free treat, use gluten-free flour and oats. Substitute 2 cups of gluten-free flour for the all-purpose flour. You can also find gluten-free oats at many stores. This way, everyone can enjoy these tasty bars without worry. Want to switch up the taste? You can add other spices or extracts. Try adding 1/2 teaspoon of ginger or cardamom for a warm twist. Almond or maple extract can also add a new layer of flavor. Just a little can make a big difference in taste. To keep your bars fresh, use an airtight container. This helps prevent drying out. Layer the bars with parchment paper to avoid sticking. Store them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them. They can last about a week in the fridge. You can freeze these bars for later enjoyment. First, cool them completely. Then, cut the bars into squares. Wrap each square in plastic wrap tightly. Place the wrapped bars in a freezer bag. Press out the air and seal it well. These bars can stay frozen for up to three months. To reheat the bars, use the oven for the best texture. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bars on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10-15 minutes. This keeps them warm and the crust crispy. You can also use a microwave, but the texture may change. Heat in short bursts of 15 seconds and check often. Yes, you can use other fruits! Pears, peaches, or berries work well. Just make sure they are not too juicy. If you use berries, add a bit more cornstarch to thicken the filling. For pears, you can keep the lemon juice to add some zing. Each fruit brings its own flavor. This lets you enjoy different tastes each time. Look for a golden brown top. This shows the streusel is ready. You can also poke the bars with a fork. If the apples feel soft and the fork goes in easily, they're done. The edges may pull away from the pan too. This is a good sign they are ready to cool. This recipe makes about 12 to 16 bars. Each bar is a nice size for a snack or dessert. You can cut them smaller for bite-sized treats, too. If you have a crowd, feel free to double the recipe for more servings. Enjoy sharing these delicious bars! This blog post covered all the steps to make delicious apple bars. We discussed ingredients, from flour to spices, and how to prepare the crust and filling. Tips for perfecting your bake included choosing the right apples and making a great topping. Variations let you customize your bars to suit your taste. Storing and reheating tips ensure you enjoy them longer. By following these steps, you’ll create a treat that delights everyone. Enjoy your baking adventure and share these tasty bars with friends and family.

Cinnamon Streusel Apple Pie Bars

Indulge in the delight of Cinnamon Streusel Apple Pie Bars with this easy recipe! Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings, these bars feature a buttery crust, spiced apple filling, and a crunchy oat topping. Whether for a cozy family dessert or a crowd-pleasing treat, these bars are sure to impress. Click to explore the full recipe and bring this deliciousness to your kitchen today!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup rolled oats

4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

    Make the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter and mix with your hands or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

      Add Oats: Stir in the rolled oats until evenly combined. Press about 3/4 of this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Set the remaining mixture aside for the topping.

        Prepare the Apple Filling: In another bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, cornstarch, and vanilla extract until well coated.

          Layer the Apples: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust in the baking dish.

            Add the Streusel Topping: Crumble the reserved oat mixture over the apples, covering them completely.

              Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.

                Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment paper (if used) and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into squares or bars.

                  Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 12-16 |