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stack of apple pie bars with parchment paper between
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5 from 1 vote

Apple Crumble Bars

These sweet and oaty Apple Crumble Bars are made with cherries and dried apples for an easy no-prep baking recipe any time of year.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple crumble bars
Servings: 24 Bars
Calories: 134kcal
Author: Barbara Bakes LLC

Ingredients

Filling

  • 3 cups dried apples about 7 ounces
  • ¾ cup dried cherries about 4 ½ ounces
  • 1 ¾ cups apple cider
  • 2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Oatmeal Cookie Base and Topping

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks 16 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for dish

Instructions

  • Prepare filling: In a large saucepan, simmer apples, cherries, and cider, stirring occasionally, until fruits are softened and plump, about 5 minutes. Reserve 2 tablespoons of liquid and drain remaining liquid. Let cool. Use kitchen shears to cut any large pieces of apple into bite-size pieces, or coarsely chop fruit. Combine with 2 tablespoons sugar, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and reserved cooking liquid.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish or line with aluminum foil.
  • Whisk together oats, flour, ¾ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, baking soda, and salt, in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until you have pea sized crumbles. 
  • Press 3 ½ cups of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared dish (you’ll have about 6 cups.) Spread fruit filling on top, leaving a ¼-inch border on all sides. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top.
  • Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let cool in baking dish on a wire rack completely before cutting. Cut into 24 bars. Bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days

Notes

slightly adapted from Martha Stewart’s Cookies

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 81mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g