Apple Crisp Bars

So, I went out to coffee with my nearest and dearest friend, Olivia. We had a nice heart-to-heart in Starbucks drinking our Pumpkin Spice Latte's (which are to die for!). I have not had a good talk like that in ages! Anyway, as we were talking we were naming off, randomly, the foods that we love about autumn. That got me thinking about Apple Crisp, but I tend to not want a whole, hunkin' piece.

And from that emerged the idea to make Apple Crisp Bars.

I had seen several recipes on Pinterest, but almost all of the had nuts in them. On a side note I am DEATHLY allergic to ALL nuts. So the Pinterest recipes were a no-go. Oh well, I decided to experiment and create my own.

As it turned out they were delicious, and they were even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! The only  problem is, is that I wish I had made more.

 

Apple Crisp Bars

Ingredients:

Crust:

1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

 

Filling:

3-4 big apples (preferably Granny Smith)

2 Tbsp. butter

2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 Tbsp. water

Topping:

4 Tbsp. butter, room temperature

5 Tbsp. brown sugar

5 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven o 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving about 1-inch overhanging on the sides.

2. Make crust: in mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy; 2-3 minutes. Add vanilla and salt, beat until combined. Add flour and mix until incorporated, dough may appear slightly crumbly. Firmly press into pan. Poke shallow holes into dough with fork. Bake 18-22 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden,

3. Make filling: Peel, core, and slice apples. Put them in sauce pan, along with sugar, water, cinnamon, and butter. Cover and cook over low heat for about 13 minutes, or until slices soften. Remove lid and cook a little longer until the liquid evaporates. Cool completely. When crust and filling are cooled, spread apple filling on top of the crust.

4. Make topping: Mix together butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Should become crumbly (may need to add in more flour and sugar). Sprinkle evenly over apple filling. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until it is dark golden brown.

5. To serve: Let cool slightly. Cut into bar-like rectangles, then pull out of pan by parchment paper.

 

~Enjoy! - Gabi xoxo~