Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (2024)

Home » desserts

Published on September 27, 2023 by Chahinez Leave a Comment

Spread the love

These delicious Dutch apple pie bars are an easy twist on the more traditional Dutch apple pies. Made with a delicious vanilla shortbread crust, a thick layer of sliced cinnamon nutmeg apples, and topped with an oat streusel that you will absolutely fall in love with.

Since you are here make sure to check out these other apple desserts like this apple cheesecake bars recipe, these apple pie crumbl cookies, as well as this apple cider donut bundt cake recipe.

Jump to recipe

Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (1)

This is the best Dutch apple pie bars with crumb topping.

I am not sure why but this year I am on a crazy apple kick. Everything from apple drinks to cheesecake and cookies is being made at my house on repeat!

After making the apple cheesecake bars with the streusel topping I thought why not try the same recipe but with a cinnamon nutmeg apple layer in the middle instead of cheesecake? Oh my goodness! Everyone loved these even more than the other desserts.

It has a butter shortbread crust, tender yet crunchy apple slices in the center, and a golden brown crunchy oat streusel to bring it all together.

Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (2)

Why doyou need to make this recipe?

  • This is a fun twist on the more traditional apple pie served for the holiday season.
  • It makes it easier to serve a crow because you can slice this dessert into 9 large squares or 16 smaller ones.
  • This recipe has three distinct layers that all mesh together to create the perfect fall and apple dessert.
  • Instead
Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (3)

Ingredients for this easy apple pie bars recipe

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this fall-season apple dessert staple. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.

  • Butter
  • All-purpose flour
  • Brown sugar & granulated sugar
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract
  • Apple slices- I love doing a combination of fresh apples. I like to do granny smith apples for something that is more on the tart side to help balance out the sweetness of these bars and the pink lady apples to add that extra sweetness!
  • Cinnamon & nutmeg- The combination of cinnamon and nutmeg will create those loved apple pie spices.
  • Oats
  • Salt
Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (4)

How to make these delicious apple pie bars

This is how you can make this apple pie bar recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!

THE crumble topping

  1. In a small bowl mix the cubed cold butter, brown sugar, salt, flour, oats, and cinnamon. Use either your hands or a pastry cutter or pastry blender.
  2. Once the mixture is combined well and has small clumps, set aside in the fridge for later.
Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (5)
Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (6)

THE SHORTBREAD CRUST

  1. In a medium bowl cream the flour, both sugars, vanilla extract, and salt together until soft cookie dough forms.
  2. Spread the cookie dough on an 8×8-inch pan lined with parchment paper.
  3. Press that cookie dough into an even layer at the bottom of the pan
  4. Bake in the oven for 13 minutes.

The gooey apple filling

  1. Peel, core, and slice your apples thinly.
  2. Add the sliced apples to a large mixing bowl with the lemon juice, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
  3. Pour the mixture over the shortbread crust evenly.
  4. Top with the coarse crumbs and bake in the preheated oven.
  5. Allow the bars to cool down before slicing into them to get that perfect slice every time.
Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (9)
Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (10)
Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (11)

Frequently asked questions – FAQ

How to store these apple pie bars?

​You can store your apple pie bars in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The crust and the buttery crumb topping will lose some of their freshness the longer they sit.

Can I freeze these bars?

Definitely! I love slicing them and individually wrapping them in plastic before placing them in a freezer-safe bag and freezing them for up to 3 months.

You can also place them in an airtight container and freeze them that way. Make sure to divide each layer with parchment paper or wax paper to keep them from sticking to one another.

​Whenever you are ready to enjoy them thaw in the fridge overnight.

Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (12)

What can I top my apple bars with?

Some of my favorite toppings for this perfect fall dessert are

  • Drizzle of caramel sauce
  • Dusting of powdered sugar
  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce

What is the difference between regular apple pie and Dutch apple pie?

The difference here is simple. The regular apple pie or the more traditional apple pie is topped with a layer of pie crust on top whilst the Dutch apple pie has a delicious crunchy crumb topping instead.

No one dessert is better than the other, they just depend on your actual preference.

Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (13)

The best apple pie bars

Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (14)

The best dutch apple pie bars

These delicious dutch apple pie bars are some of the best apple treats that you can make with all of your extra apples from the orchard!

5 from 8 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 servings

Calories 178 Calories

Ingredients

For the Streusel Topping:

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup oats
  • cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup butter ¼ cup butter = ½ stick butter, cubed, cold.

For the apple filling

  • 3 apples Large, peeled, thinly slice
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Shortbread crust

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup butter ½ cup butter = 1 stick butter, softened

Instructions

Make the streusel

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on two sides for easy removal.

  • In a bowl mix the cubed cold butter, brown sugar, salt, flour, oats, and cinnamon. Use either your hands or a pastry cutter.Once the mixture is combined well and has small clumps, set aside in the fridge for later.

    ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup oats, ⅓ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup butter

Make the crust

  • In a medium bowl cream the flour, both sugars, vanilla extract, and salt together until soft cookie dough forms.

    ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ cup butter, 1 cup all purpose flour

  • Spread the cookie dough on an 8×8-inch pan lined with parchment paper.Press to form an even layer. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

Make the apple mixture

  • In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with ground cinnamon, granulated sugar, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the shortbread crust.

    3 apples, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the apples, covering them evenly.

  • Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the apples are softened.

  • Remove the apple pie bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Top with powdered sugar, caramel, or enjoy as is!

Nutrition

Calories: 178CaloriesCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 64mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 285IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg

Keyword apple pie bars, dutch apple pie bars

Tried this recipe?Follow us and tag us on Instagram! @chahinez_tbt

Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (15)

Shop this recipe

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that at no cost to you I will get a small percentage of every purchase you make!

If you enjoyed this Dutch apple pie bars recipe make sure to pin it for later!

Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (16)
Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (17)
Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (18)

« The best easy pumpkin french toast recipe

Easy chewy pecan chocolate chip blondies recipe »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Easy dutch apple pie bars with crumble recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between apple crumb pie and Dutch Apple Pie? ›

Truly the only difference between your traditional pie and a Dutch Apple Pie is the topping. Dutch Apple or Apple Crumble Pie is simply an apple pie with a crumb or streusel topping as opposed to a pastry crust topping.

What are the crumbs made of on a Dutch Apple Pie? ›

Let me fill you in: dutch apple pie is traditionally made with a streusel topping made up of butter, flour, brown sugar and sometimes, nuts or oats. It's just slightly sweeter than traditional apple pies made with a lattice crust or regular crust on top and perfect with ice cream on top.

Is apple pie and apple crumble the same? ›

Dessert-wise, in this case, specifically apple centric, pie would be the apple filling encased in upper and lower pastry sheets with a nice decorative crimp at the join. A crumble is most usually the Apple filling directly in the dish with a crumble topping, most often basically made up of sugar, butter and flour.

How do you make Martha Stewart apple crumble? ›

In a large bowl, toss together apples, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; transfer to prepared dish. In a bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter with brown sugar until fluffy. Mix in 1 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt until large pieces form. Scatter over filling.

Why is my Dutch apple pie runny? ›

Allow your pie to bake for the entire recommended period.

People often pull their pie too soon out of fear that it will burn. This leads to runny pie because it prevents the filling from thickening. Check the recommended cooking time, and set a timer. Don't use the brownness of your pie crust to judge if it is done.

Is Apple Brown Betty the same as apple crumble? ›

Both are very similar apple desserts, but the difference mainly comes down to the crumble topping: Instead of the flour and oat mixture used in an apple crisp, an apple brown betty uses breadcrumbs for its crumbly, delicious topping.

What is the crumble on apple crumble made of? ›

Place the flour, demerara sugar and butter into a mixing bowl and rub with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the oats. Scatter onto the apples and then sprinkle the extra sugar on top. Bake for 40-45 mins until golden and bubbling.

What is flapper pie made of? ›

A custard pie made with a graham cracker crumb crust and topped with meringue.

What is crack pie made of? ›

Since it was invented it has become one of the most popular desserts in the world probably. Crack Pie is made of an oatmeal cookie crust filled with rich buttery pudding made mostly out of sugar, butter, cream and egg yolks. After baking it receives a golden top that is especially attractive and tempting.

What are the best apples for baking apple crumble? ›

Best Apple Crumble Recipe Tips

For this recipe, you'll need excellent baking apples. They should have a firm texture and hold their shape when cooked. Some of my favorite types of apples for baking include Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith apples. Choose just one, or use a mix!

What do Americans call apple crumble? ›

Apple crisp is a dessert made with a streusel topping. In the US, it is also called apple crumble, a word which refers to a different dessert in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

What is the secret to crunchy crumble? ›

A pastry chef friend shared the technique. Instead of sprinkling the raw crumbs on top of the fruit, where they absorb the juices and turn a little mushy on their undersides, he spread them out in a pan and baked them separately, until crisp and cookielike.

Why is my apple crumble topping not crunchy? ›

The main reason your crumble topping isn't crunchy is probably because you haven't used Demerara sugar. Although, it could also be that you've got your topping ingredient quantities wrong: either too much or not enough flour and butter alongside the sugar.

What is cobbler crumble made of? ›

For a traditional take on this classic dessert, try the Neelys' Peach Cobbler (pictured above). This all-American dessert features a crumbly topping of butter, sugar and flour that is rubbed together (possibly with oats, nuts or cookie crumbs), then sprinkled over a fruit filling before baking.

What is the difference between apple crumb and apple crisp? ›

Like an apple crisp, an apple crumble is a baked fruit dessert with a layer of topping. But unlike the crisp, the crumble topping rarely includes oats or nuts. Instead, a crumble's topping is more like streusel, made with flour, sugar and butter.

What's the difference between apple crumble and apple streusel? ›

A crumble is just a crisp without oats in the streusel. It may feature nuts, but the streusel topping is usually a simple combination of butter, flour, and sugar that is more clumpy than that of a crisp.

What are the three best apples for apple pie? ›

The best apples for making apple pie
  • Braeburn. This apple is a descendant of Granny Smith, but slightly sweeter. ...
  • Cortland. ...
  • Crispin (Mutsu). ...
  • Golden Delicious. ...
  • Granny Smith. ...
  • Honeycrisp. ...
  • Jonagold or Jonathan. ...
  • Northern Spy.
Oct 8, 2021

Can you leave apple crumb pie out overnight? ›

The pie will be just fine on the counter, but only for a day or two, at which point it needs to go into the fridge. The sugar and acid in apple pie will slow down bacteria growth in that 1-2 day period, but all bets are off after that.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6374

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.