Grandma’s Apple Crumb Bars

Grandma’s Apple Crumb Bars – Buttery, Sweet, and Timeless

There’s something special about old-fashioned desserts that never go out of style, and these Grandma’s Apple Crumb Bars are one of them. With a buttery crust, warm spiced apple filling, and golden crumb topping, this treat tastes like a cozy afternoon at Grandma’s kitchen table. Perfect for fall gatherings, potlucks, or a simple weekend bake, every bite brings comfort and nostalgia.

Ingredients

For the Crust & Topping:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 large egg

For the Apple Filling:

• 5 cups peeled, diced apples (about 5–6 medium apples)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

Step 1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2. Make the Crust & Topping

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the egg until the dough starts to come together.

Press half of this crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.

Step 3. Prepare the Apple Filling

In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly coated. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust layer.

Step 4. Add the Crumb Topping

Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the apple filling, creating a rustic, crumbly topping.

Step 5. Bake & Cool

Bake for 40–45 minutes or until the top is golden and the apples are soft and bubbling. Let cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.

Serving Ideas

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
• For a cozy touch, dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving.
• Perfect as a dessert, snack, or even breakfast treat with a hot cup of coffee.

Storage Tips

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. They also freeze beautifully — just wrap individual bars tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

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Grandma’s Apple Crumb Bars Recipe

Prep Time: 20 mins   |   Cook Time: 45 mins   |   Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins

Yield: 12–16 bars   |   Course: Dessert   |   Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 large egg
• 5 cups peeled and diced apples
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp flour
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
2. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon. Cut in butter and mix in egg.
3. Press half of the mixture into the pan for the crust.
4. Toss apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread over crust.
5. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top.
6. Bake 40–45 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before slicing.

Pro Tip: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples work best for a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavor.