Apple Butter Bars: A Deliciously Autumnal Treat
Apple butter bars are the perfect dessert to celebrate the fall season. These bars combine the warm, comforting flavors of apple butter with a buttery, crumbly crust and a sweet, often oat-topped streusel or crumble. They’re easy to make, incredibly delicious, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This recipe provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to making perfect apple butter bars every time. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the delightful aroma of apples and cinnamon!
## Why You’ll Love These Apple Butter Bars
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, making it perfect for beginner bakers. No special equipment required!
* **Perfect for Fall:** The combination of apple butter, cinnamon, and a buttery crust screams autumn. It’s the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or any cozy fall gathering.
* **Incredibly Delicious:** The creamy apple butter filling, the crumbly crust, and the sweet streusel topping create a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you wanting more.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking by adding nuts, spices, or different types of fruit.
* **Great for Sharing:** These bars are perfect for bringing to potlucks, parties, or giving as gifts.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is divided into three parts: the crust, the filling, and the streusel topping (though you can opt for a simpler crumble topping, recipe adjusted below). Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need for each:
**For the Crust:**
* 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour
* ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
* ½ teaspoon baking powder
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
* 1 large egg
**For the Apple Butter Filling:**
* 1 cup (approximately 250g) apple butter (store-bought or homemade)
* 1 large egg
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
**For the Streusel Topping (Optional, but Highly Recommended):**
* ½ cup (64g) all-purpose flour
* ¼ cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
* ¼ cup (30g) rolled oats (optional, adds texture)
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
* ¼ cup (½ stick or 57g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
**For a Simpler Crumble Topping (Easier and Quicker):**
* ½ cup (64g) all-purpose flour
* ¼ cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
* ¼ cup (½ stick or 57g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
## Equipment You’ll Need
* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Parchment paper (optional, for easy removal)
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Pastry blender or fork (for making the crust and streusel)
* Electric mixer (optional, for making the crust – can be done by hand)
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed instructions to create the most delicious apple butter bars:
### Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. For easier removal, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will allow you to lift the bars out of the pan easily after baking.
### Step 2: Make the Crust
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make sure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for creating a tender and flaky crust. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
3. Add the egg and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. The dough will be slightly crumbly.
4. Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to create a smooth and even base. Reserve the remaining one-third of the dough for sprinkling on top (if not using streusel) or for making a crumble topping.
5. Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, or until it is lightly golden brown. This par-baking step ensures that the crust will be firm enough to hold the filling without becoming soggy.
### Step 3: Prepare the Apple Butter Filling
1. While the crust is baking, prepare the apple butter filling. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the apple butter, egg, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using). Ensure all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.
### Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Bars
1. Once the crust is par-baked, remove it from the oven and pour the apple butter filling evenly over the top.
2. **If using streusel topping:** In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, oats (if using), cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using) for the streusel. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the apple butter filling.
3. **If using crumble topping:** Take the reserved one-third of the crust dough. In a small bowl, combine it with the flour and brown sugar for the crumble topping. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apple butter filling.
4. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the topping is golden brown. The filling should be firm to the touch, and the edges of the bars should be lightly browned.
### Step 5: Cool and Cut
1. Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan before cutting. This is important because the filling will continue to set as it cools. Cooling completely prevents the bars from crumbling when cut.
2. Once cooled, use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares or rectangles. If you lined the pan with parchment paper, you can lift the bars out of the pan and cut them on a cutting board.
## Tips for Perfect Apple Butter Bars
* **Use Cold Butter:** Using cold butter in the crust and streusel is crucial for creating a tender and crumbly texture. Keep the butter in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
* **Don’t Overmix the Crust:** Overmixing the crust will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough crust. Mix until just combined.
* **Par-Bake the Crust:** Par-baking the crust prevents it from becoming soggy when you add the filling.
* **Use Good Quality Apple Butter:** The flavor of the apple butter is the star of this recipe, so use a good quality apple butter for the best results. Homemade apple butter is always a great option!
* **Cool Completely Before Cutting:** Allowing the bars to cool completely before cutting ensures that the filling is set and the bars won’t crumble.
* **Add Nuts:** For extra flavor and texture, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping.
* **Spice it Up:** Experiment with different spices in the filling and streusel, such as ginger, cloves, or cardamom.
* **Adjust Sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the amount of sugar in the crust and streusel.
* **Make Ahead:** The apple butter bars can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* **Serving Suggestions**: These apple butter bars are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
## Variations and Additions
* **Caramel Apple Butter Bars:** Swirl a layer of caramel sauce into the apple butter filling before adding the streusel topping.
* **Cranberry Apple Butter Bars:** Add chopped cranberries to the apple butter filling for a tart and festive twist.
* **Pecan Apple Butter Bars:** Add chopped pecans to the streusel topping for extra crunch and flavor.
* **Spiced Apple Butter Bars:** Increase the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg in the filling and streusel, and add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger.
* **Gluten-Free Apple Butter Bars:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the crust and streusel.
* **Vegan Apple Butter Bars:** Substitute the butter with vegan butter and the eggs with flax eggs.
## Storing Apple Butter Bars
* **Room Temperature:** Store the cooled apple butter bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll maintain their flavor and texture best if kept covered.
* **Refrigerator:** For longer storage, keep the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The crust might soften slightly, but the flavor will remain delicious.
* **Freezer:** For even longer storage, you can freeze apple butter bars. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw completely at room temperature before serving.
## Making Apple Butter from Scratch (Optional)
While store-bought apple butter works perfectly well in this recipe, making your own apple butter from scratch can elevate the flavor even further. Here’s a simple method using a slow cooker:
**Ingredients:**
* 6 pounds apples (such as Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and chopped
* 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
* ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of your apples)
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the apples are very soft and the mixture has thickened, stirring occasionally.
3. Use an immersion blender to puree the apple mixture until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor in batches and blend until smooth.
4. Continue cooking on low for another 1-2 hours, or until the apple butter reaches your desired consistency. The longer it cooks, the thicker it will become.
5. Let the apple butter cool completely before using in the apple butter bar recipe or storing in airtight jars in the refrigerator.
## Troubleshooting Tips
* **Crust is too hard:** You likely overmixed the crust dough. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
* **Crust is soggy:** Make sure to par-bake the crust before adding the filling.
* **Filling is too runny:** Ensure that you are using the correct amount of flour in the filling. Also, make sure the bars are fully cooled before cutting.
* **Streusel is too dry:** Add a little more melted butter to the streusel until it comes together into small clumps.
* **Streusel is too wet:** Add a little more flour to the streusel until it reaches a crumbly consistency.
## Recipe Card
**Apple Butter Bars**
**Yields:** 12-16 bars
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 35-40 minutes
**Ingredients:**
**Crust:**
* 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour
* ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
* ½ teaspoon baking powder
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
* 1 large egg
**Filling:**
* 1 cup (approximately 250g) apple butter
* 1 large egg
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
**Streusel (Optional):**
* ½ cup (64g) all-purpose flour
* ¼ cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
* ¼ cup (30g) rolled oats (optional)
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
* ¼ cup (½ stick or 57g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt for the crust. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and mix until just combined.
3. Press 2/3 of the dough into the prepared pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
4. While the crust bakes, whisk together apple butter, egg, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using) for the filling.
5. For the streusel, combine flour, brown sugar, oats (if using), cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using) in a separate bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly.
6. Pour filling over par-baked crust. Sprinkle with streusel topping.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and filling is set.
8. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Enjoy your homemade apple butter bars! This recipe is a fall favorite that will bring warmth and deliciousness to your kitchen and your table. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these bars are sure to be a success. Happy baking!