Apple Butter Crumble Bars
October 8, 2021
We have to confess that the second the leaves start to change color and the weather takes a turn, all we can think about is apples. Our annual tradition of heading to our local orchards for caramel apples, apple doughnuts, and cider is long standing and enduring. Despite our experience with this outing, we inevitably return home with bags bursting with more edible fares than any household could manage. Mainly we find our hands full of apples. There is no resisting their incredible varieties of flavors, textures, and colors. We are then tasked with finding a use for these freshly picked wonders that not only honor their quality but are unique and fun for the whole household. One of our favorite ways to use a surplus of apples is to make apple butter. Apple butter can be made with any variety of apple and the end result is a condiment that is the epitome of traditional fall comfort. This sweet and tart spread can be used to spice up your morning toast, be mixed into yogurt, top ice cream, or add a boost of apple flavor to your fall baked goods.
We used our batch this year to make a fan favorite crumble bar. Our crumble bars are inspired by an Ina Garten Recipe and are the perfect mix of buttery shortbread crust with fruit filling and a crunchy crumble topping. They are also incredibly easy to pack for gifts and keep well for days in the refrigerator. The filling can be substituted for any fruit spread you have on hand, and it takes well to added flavors to the crust such as different spices, or zest. This version has just a hint of cinnamon to really drive home the fall flavor. Feel free to use store bought apple butter (or even better if a friend is whipping up a batch, grab some from them) but we added our recipe below if you would like to home make yours as well. No matter what you decide, we can guarantee the warm scent of cinnamon and apple coming from your kitchen will draw even the most suspicious eater in for a slice of Apple Butter Crumble Bars.
Apple Butter Crumble Bars Recipe
Ingredients:
4 Sticks (1 pound) unsalted butter softened
1 ½ Cups Granulated Sugar
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
4 2/3 Cups of All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp Salt
1 ½ Cup Apple Butter
½ cup Rolled Oats
2 tbsp Turbinado Sugar
½ cup Sliced Almonds
Powdered Sugar for Dusting
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Combine butter and sugar in a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Combine until just mixed and soft. Add vanilla and mix until incorporated. Then add flour and salt to the butter/sugar mixture and mix on low until just combined. It may look crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
Take 2/3 of the dough and press into the bottom of a 9X13 rectangle pan. Press into an even layer. Spread the apple butter over the top of the shortbread base. Take the remaining dough and add the oats, almonds, and turbinado sugar to the dough. Use your hands to mix together and pinch dough to make crumbles. Spread crumbles over the top of the apple butter so it is mostly covered.
Place bars into the oven and bake for 40 minutes until the top is slightly brown. Cool completely. Once cooled cut the bars into squares and sift powdered sugar over the top for finishing. Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week.
Apple Butter Recipe
Ingredients:
4 Pounds Fuji Apples Roughly diced
1 ½ Cups Apple Cider
½ Cup Granulated Sugar
½ Cup Brown Sugar
1 heaping tsp Cinnamon
½ tsp Nutmeg
1/8 tsp Cloves
½ tsp Salt
Zest of 1 Lemon
Juice of 1 Lemon
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a heavy bottomed stock pot and mix to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Once boiling reduce the temperature to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook for 30-40 minutes until the apples are tender and beginning to fall apart.
Once softened, process the apples in a blender or food processer until completely smooth. Add the blended apples back to the pot and continue to cook on low until thickened 60-90 minutes. Be careful at this stage to keep the temperature low as if it gets to hot it will splatter. Once reduced, take off the stove and allow to cool. Can be served warm, cold, or room temperature. Store in the refrigerator.
