Spiced Apple-Caramel Crumble Bars

By ebdonahue

These soft, spiced apple crumble bars with an easy homemade caramel layer and crumbly, buttery oat topping are the perfect holiday dessert – and so easy to make, too!

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups cold butter, divided
• 5 cups (4 to 5 medium) peeled, diced apples
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon (pinch) ground nutmeg

Details

Servings 36
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 60mins
Adapted from thecomfortofcooking.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Cut in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 2 cups for topping.

Press remaining crumbs into prepared baking dish. Evenly arrange apples over top.

In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, water, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining 2 Tablespoons butter. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thick and bubbly; spread over apples. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until top is lightly browned. Let bars cool completely before cutting.

Notes: toss in a few handfuls of fresh cranberries. Maybe a sprinkle of freshly grated ginger or lemon zest.