Apple Bars Recipe

As the cool breeze of autumn sweeps through, there’s nothing more comforting than the aroma of freshly baked apple bars wafting through your kitchen. This dessert captures the essence of the season with the warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves paired with the tartness of Granny Smith apples. Perfect for family gatherings, school snacks, or just a cozy evening treat, these apple bars are a must-try recipe that will quickly become a household favorite.

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Servings: 12 bars

Ingredients

• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars later.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, cloves, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 4: Incorporate the Apples

Gently fold in the diced Granny Smith apples. Ensure that the apple pieces are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 5: Bake

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula and place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Allow the apple bars to cool completely in the baking dish before slicing them into 12 equal portions. Serve plain or with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent treat.

Tips and Notes

• Apple Choice: Granny Smith apples are ideal for this recipe due to their tart flavor and firm texture, but you can also use Honeycrisp or Fuji for a sweeter variation.
• Storage: Store the apple bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Freezing: To freeze, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Optional Additions: For extra texture and flavor, consider adding 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.

These delightful apple bars are the perfect way to celebrate the flavors of fall. Easy to prepare and incredibly delicious, they’re sure to become a go-to recipe for any autumn occasion. Whether you enjoy them as a mid-day snack or a dessert after dinner, the blend of spices and apples will bring warmth and comfort to every bite. So gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and get ready to bake a batch of these irresistible apple bars that everyone will love!