Name: Old Fashioned Apple Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: Shortbread Crust:; 1/4 tsp. baking powder; 2 sticks cold butter, cut into slices; 2 cups flour; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 2 tsp. vanilla; Apple Filling:; 7 1/2 cups peeled and sliced apples; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup white sugar; 2 tsp. cinnamon; 1/4 tsp nutmeg; 1 T. lemon juice; 3 T. flour; Crumble Topping:; 1/4 cup butter, softened and slightly melted; 1/2 cup flour; 3/4 cup brown sugar

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These old fashioned apple bars are a perfect combination of wholesome, simple old-fashioned ingredients. These bars served fresh out of the oven with a scoop of ice cream is almost like perfection!

Old fashioned apple bars with the banner "old fashioned apple bars"

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If you’ve been out foraging this fall season, then you may have an abundance of apples like we do. Apples are one of my favorite things to bake with because the flavor is such a warm and comforting one. I mean, how much more cozy does it get than a warm piece of an old fashioned apple bar, served with a side of ice cream, as you cuddle in front of a fireplace?

If you’re looking for a really delicious apple recipe to add to your collection this fall, I strongly recommend you try out these old fashioned apple bars. Each time I’ve made them, I haven’t been able to keep a full pan for more than 48 hours. Everyone loves them! They’re a sweet, comforting masterpiece, if I do say so myself.

An old fashioned apple bar sits on a table with ice cream.

3 Layers to the Old Fashioned Apple Bars

These old fashioned apple bars are made up of three very delicious layers, each one adding its own special twist to the overall flavor:

Shortbread Crust: When I was thinking about how to create these apple bars, I wanted to make sure I created a crust that was sweet and delicious. I love apple pies and the traditions that come along with them, but sometimes the crust can be dry and dull. This crust is a sweet, buttery foundation that sets the tone for the entire old fashioned apple bar.
Apple Pie Filling: With a handful of simple ingredients, the apple filling naturally shines, highlighting the delicious flavor of the apples as the heart of the old fashioned apple bars.
Crumble Topping: The crumble topping is the perfect topping, adding a sweet and crunchy texture to the top of the apple bar. Think buttery, sugary crunch!

Old fashioned apple bars sit on a red towel amongst apples on a wooden table.

Best Apples to Use for Old Fashioned Apple Bars

We like to use a tart yet sweet, hard apple for our old fashioned apple bars. Our apples always come from a wild source, but they are best compared to a Honeycrisp.

Overview of How to Make Old Fashioned Apple Bars

There are three main steps to creating these delightful old fashioned apple bars, each focusing on one specific layer.

Crust: To create the buttery shortbread crust, pulse baking powder, flour, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cold butter until it creates a crumble mixture in a food processor. Push that crumble mixture down into a buttered 13×9 inch pan.
Apple Filling: Combine peeled and sliced apples, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour to create a simple, yet delicious apple filling.
Crumble Topping: The final step is to create the crumble topping from softened butter, flour, and brown sugar, and then sprinkling it atop the apple filling.