Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars

Name: Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 55 min
Yield: 16 servings
Ingredients: 2.25 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats; 1 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup light brown sugar; 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt; 4 medium apples; 1 medium lemon; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons water

Tender shortbread supports a warmly spiced cooked apple filling, while an oat-and-brown-sugar crumble bakes golden and crisp on top.

Prep: 30 min · Cook: 55 min · Yield: 16 · Method: Oven

Ingredients

2.25 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
4 medium apples
1 medium lemon
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water

Cooking instructions

Heat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides. (about 5 min) — 350°F
Melt 8 tablespoons of the butter. Stir together 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix in the melted butter until a crumbly dough forms. Press it firmly into the prepared pan. (about 8 min) — Room temperature
Bake the shortbread base until lightly golden at the edges and set, 18 to 20 minutes. (about 20 min) — 350°F
While the base bakes, peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Zest 1 teaspoon from the lemon and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice. (about 8 min) — Room temperature
In a saucepan, combine the apples, lemon zest, lemon juice, granulated sugar, cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the apples soften slightly and the juices thicken, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat. (about 8 min) — Medium heat
Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons butter. Combine the remaining 3/4 cup flour, oats, remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, remaining 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir in the melted butter until coarse crumbs form. (about 5 min) — Room temperature
Spread the warm apple filling over the baked base. Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apples. (about 3 min) — Room temperature
Bake until the topping is golden brown and the filling bubbles at the edges, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely in the pan, about 2 hours, before lifting out and cutting into 16 bars. (about 30 min) — 350°F