Easy Dutch Crumble Apple Pie Bars

Got apples?  I’ve got these tasty, delectable Easy Dutch Crumble Apple Pie Bars to share with you and you’re gonna want to make these apple-icious bars pronto! 

These Dutch apple bars feature a comforting buttery, brown sugar crumble topping, freshly baked apples seasoned with warm cinnamon sugar spice and it’s baked atop a delicious shortbread crust. 

These apple delights are definitely scrumptious and so much easier to make than your normal home-made apple pie.  OMGoodness yumminess!  

Easy to make!

All you do is prepare your shortbread crust by using a food processor or pastry cutter and press the dough it into your 8×8 pan and start to pre-bake the crust for 15 minutes. 

While the crust is baking, prepare your crumble topping and set aside, then slice your apples thinly and season with cinnamon and sugar, again set aside.  We’re ready to assemble!

After the shortbread crust has baked 15 minutes, layer the apples on top of the shortbread crust, then follow it up with the crumble by sprinkling it on top of the apples and that’s it! 

Bake and enjoy how heavenly your house will smell.  It’s intoxicating to say the least! 

Speaking of intoxicating, TBC’s most popular apple dessert is my Awesome Country Apple Fritter Bread.  It’s been featured on Food Network, and it’s the #1 apple recipe on Pinterest. 

If you’ve not had a chance to try it, I highly recommend it and it’s perfect to give away to friends and family during all of the holiday seasons.

More apple favorites?  

Caramel Glazed Apple Crumble Coffee Cake

25 Apple-icious Desserts That’ll Tempt You

Salted Caramel Chip Apple Blondies

Apple Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

Farmhouse Apple Walnut Loaf

Awesome Country Apple Fritter Bread

Other ways to serve

For a crunchier topping add some pecans, walnuts or toffee into your crumble mixture.

After the bars are done, slice them into servings after they’ve completely cooled. Be sure to store the bars in an airtight container, or over the baking dish in plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator. Refrigerate and take them out of the fridge as needed. 

Serve as is or with some vanilla glaze, caramel sauce or pair it with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream with the apple bar warmed up in the microwave for an incredibly, sinful experience!  This dessert screams FALL! 🙂

These bars may disappear fast, so if you’re serving more than just a few people, double the recipe and bake in a 9×13 baking dish.  Apple comfort food at it’s finest! 

Easy Dutch Crumble Apple Pie Bars

Kim Lange

These Dutch apple bars feature a comforting buttery, brown sugar crunchy, crumble topping, freshly baked apples seasoned with warm cinnamon sugar spice and it's baked atop a delicious shortbread crust. 

These sweet apple delights are definitely scrumptious and so much easier to make than your normal home-made apple pie.  OMGoodness yumminess!  

4.8 from 10 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Amish

Servings 9 Servings

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

SHORTBREAD CRUST

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

DUTCH APPLE FILLING

• 3 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced or small julienne style (3 ½ - 4 cups) (can use honeycrisp or any firm type apple)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

CRUMBLE TOPPING

• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons butter chilled butter, cut into cubes
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray, line with parchment for easy removal.

SHORTBREAD CRUST

• In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy for 2-3 minutes.
• Add vanilla and mix until combined. Add flour and mix until combined and dough is crumbly.
• Press dough evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until dough is slightly puffed. Remove from oven and set aside to prepare to add the Dutch Apple Filling.

DUTCH APPLE FILLING

• Meanwhile, while the crust is baking, in a large bowl, combine the apple filling ingredients: toss apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, flour and sugar until evenly coated, set aside.

CRUMBLE TOPPING

• In a medium bowl, using a pastry cutter, combine brown sugar, flour, salt and butter together and mix until crumbly; set aside. Add cinnamon for an extra boost of cinnamon if you wish! Can also use food processor for quicker results.

ASSEMBLE THE BARS

• Maintain oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Place apple mixture in an even layer over baked crust.
• Sprinkle with crumble topping.
• Bake 40-45 minutes until golden brown.
• Let cool 2 hours then refrigerate 2 hours. Serve or store in an airtight container.

Notes

Serve as is or with some vanilla glaze, caramel sauce or pair it with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream with the apple bar warmed up in the microwave for an incredibly, sinful experience! This dessert screams FALL! 🙂

Keyword apple, apple bars, apple cobbler, apple dessert, apple pie, dutch apple, pie

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Recipe slightly modified from Food Network