Ingredients
For the Crust and Topping:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg
For the Apple Filling:
- 5 cups peeled, diced apples (choose tart-sweet apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for best flavor)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray. Lining the pan with parchment paper also makes lifting and slicing the bars easier after baking.
In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon, whisking until evenly blended. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry blender, a fork, or your hands, work the butter into the flour mixture until it forms a crumbly texture with small, pea-sized pieces. Don’t worry if some chunks are slightly larger—keeping the butter cold is essential for achieving a light, tender crust.
Crack the egg into the bowl and mix gently until just combined. The mixture should still be crumbly, not doughy. Measure out about half of this mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan to form an even layer. This will become the sturdy base of your bars.
Peel and core the apples, then cut them into small cubes. Place the diced apples in a separate bowl and sprinkle them with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gently toss everything together until the apples are well coated. The flour will help the filling set as it bakes, while the spices add that classic, comforting apple pie taste to every bite.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pressed crust in your pan.
Take the remaining half of the crumb mixture and scatter it evenly over the apples. It’s okay if some apples peek through—the topping will crisp up beautifully in the oven, creating a delicious, golden layer.
Transfer the pan to your preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and you can see the apples bubbling through the crumb. The aroma of baked apples and cinnamon will fill your kitchen.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan to set the filling and make slicing easier. Once cool, lift them out (if using parchment) and cut into squares or bars. They’re sturdy enough to pick up with your hands, but tender enough to melt in your mouth.