Oven-Roasted Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars
Sweet and tart apple crumble bars with a buttery cinnamon crust and crumb topping, roasted to golden perfection. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup, cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 3 medium, peeled and diced apples
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup cold cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 4: Reserve 1 1/2 cups of this crumb mixture for the topping, then press the remaining crumbs evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, toss 3 peeled and diced medium apples with 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until evenly coated.
- Step 6: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust layer.
- Step 7: Sprinkle the reserved crumb topping evenly over the apples.
- Step 8: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Step 9: Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and cutting into bars for serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Roasted Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Oven-Roasted Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Roasted Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Oven-Roasted Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Oven-Roasted Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
