Spiced Apple Crumble Bars a Taste of Autumn

Easy Fall Dessert Spiced Apple Crumble Bars Recipe

By Amara Vitalis July 23, 2025

Table of Contents

Spiced Apple Crumble Bars: Your New Go-To Fall Dessert Ideas

Fancy some proper comfort food? Honestly, who doesn't love easy fall desserts ? I’ve got just the thing! Ever get a craving for Apple Crumble Recipe , but you don't feel like fussing with a whole pie? I know, right? Me too! That’s why I’m sharing my Spiced Apple Crumble Bars.

Think of these as a lazy person's apple crumble , perfect comfort food desserts for when you want that 'hygge' feeling without all the effort.

This recipe turns the traditional dessert into super portable, totally shareable bars. They're the ultimate fall potluck desserts , and trust me, they're always a hit!

Autumn Baking Recipes: Where did this recipe come from

These Apple Crumble Bars are all about bringing that cozy fall feeling straight to your kitchen. Inspired by classic apple crumble, this recipe takes a shortcut.

It blends a buttery shortbread crust, spiced apple filling, and crunchy oat crumble topping. This is home style cooking at its finest, even if it’s a riff on the original.

This recipe is surprisingly simple. It requires about 30 minutes of prep time, 45- 50 minutes of cook time, and 30 minutes to chill that buttery crust.

Plus, one batch makes 12 generous bars. Plenty to share... or not!

Why This Recipe Rocks: The Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

These Apple Crumble Bars have got the cozy, warming flavor profile that's a big plus in the fall and winter seasons. They deliver serious comfort. It’s basically a hug in a bar.

The apple filling is packed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This bar recipe is a great source of fiber from the oats and apples.

They're perfect for that Mini Apple Pie Cheesecake Bites craving. These Mini Apple Dessert Recipes are a fun twist, aren't they?

So, ditch the apple pie stress and whip up these bars. They're the perfect autumnal treat!. They're also a great way to use up those autumn apples from the garden before the frost hits.

Alright, let's dive into what you need to make these Spiced Apple Crumble Bars. These are the comfort food desserts that scream autumn baking recipes .

Get ready for some easy fall desserts !

Ingredients & Equipment

These fall dessert ideas are a total breeze when you have everything prepped. It makes this baking experience so much better!

Main Ingredients

Okay, let's break down what you'll need, and talk a little bit about the quality .

For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups ( 180g ) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup ( 100g ) packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup ( 1 ½ sticks, 170g ) cold unsalted butter, cubed. Make sure the butter is really cold, like straight from-the-fridge cold.
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium (about 600g ) apples, diced. Honeycrisp, Gala, or Braeburn are fab.
- ¼ cup ( 50g ) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
For the Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup ( 60g ) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup ( 50g ) rolled oats (not instant)
- ½ cup ( 100g ) packed light brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons ( 85g ) cold unsalted butter, cubed.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the apples, go for a mix of tart and sweet. Honestly, it just makes the flavour pop .

Seasoning Notes

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves? Oh my gosh, that's the essential spice combinations right there. This apple crumble recipe wouldn't be the same without them.

If you're out of cloves, a pinch of allspice can work in a pinch. For flavor enhancers and aromatics a dash of ground ginger will enhance the flavor beautifully.

Equipment Needed

Keep it simple, yeah?

9x13 inch baking pan. A square pan could work for multiple desserts in one pan .
Parchment paper. Trust me, makes cleanup so easy.
Mixing bowls
Pastry blender or food processor (optional). For the crust and crumble.
Measuring cups and spoons
Rubber spatula or wooden spoon

Don't have a pastry blender? Forks work just fine. Honestly, who needs fancy tools anyway?

This recipe is perfect for fall potluck desserts or even as one of your Thanksgiving dessert ideas . Or heck, just because you fancy some Mini Apple Dessert Recipes that feels like a hug.

The great thing is you can cut them up into Mini Apple Pie Cheesecake Bites or even layer in Mini Apple Crisp Cheesecake Recipes .

I am really hoping you enjoy this recipe!

Alright, let's talk about making some epic apple crumble bars . Seriously, these are the perfect easy fall desserts when you need a little comfort food.

I'm so stoked to share this! These fall dessert ideas are super easy, and everyone will be asking for the recipe.

Think of this as a fantastic way to serve Multiple Desserts In One Pan . Let's get baking!

Spiced Apple Crumble Bars: The Autumn Baking Recipe You Need

Forget fussing with individual pies! These bars are a total game changer for Thanksgiving dessert ideas or any fall potluck desserts .

It's like an apple crumble recipe and a shortbread cookie had a baby, and it's absolutely glorious. Honestly, you'll be wondering why you haven't made these sooner.

Prep Steps: Ready, Set, Bake!

First things first: mise en place . We're talking getting all your ingredients measured and ready to go. This will save you a ton of time.

Cube that butter and keep it cold . Essential for the best crust and crumble, you know? We don't want any melty mishaps here!

Ingredients:
- For the crust: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup packed light brown sugar, ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) cold unsalted butter, ¼ teaspoon salt.
- For the apple filling: 4 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Braeburn), ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves.
- For the crumble topping: ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup packed light brown sugar, 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Let's Get Baking: step-by-step

Prep the Pan : Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper. This is your lifeline!
Make the Crust : Combine flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press into the pan. Chill for 30 minutes .
Preheat : Set the oven to 350° F ( 175° C) .
Bake the Crust : Bake for 15- 20 minutes , until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.
Apple Filling : Combine diced apples, granulated sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Crumble Time : In another bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
Assemble : Spread apple filling over the crust. Sprinkle with the crumble topping.
Bake : Bake for 45- 50 minutes , or until golden and bubbly. Cool completely!

Pro Tips for Apple Crumble Bar Nirvana

Using super cold butter is non-negotiable. It's key for that flaky crust and crumble. Want to level up? Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for an extra crunch!

One common mistake? Overbaking the crust! A slightly underbaked crust is better.

These bars are great for making ahead, too! You can bake them the day before and they'll still be amazing.

Oh my gosh, so good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These also make the best Mini Apple Dessert Recipes , Mini Apple Crisp Cheesecake Recipes or even Mini Apple Pie Cheesecake Bites .

These bars are the one.

Recipe Notes for Spiced Apple Crumble Bars

Okay, so you're about to make these Spiced Apple Crumble Bars? Ace! Here are some extra bits of info. These will help you to nail it.

Honestly, these fall dessert ideas are perfect for impressing your mates.

Serving Suggestions - Let's Get Fancy!

Plating? Well, slice these bars into neat squares. A dusting of icing sugar looks proper posh, doesn't it? If you want to level up, try a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

Or, a drizzle of warm caramel sauce. For drinks, think warm spiced cider. This dessert would also be great with a hot mug of tea or coffee.

So many people are loving all these Mini Apple Dessert Recipes too, so why not make them mini apple crumble bars?.

Storage Tips - Keep 'Em Fresh!

Refrigerate the bars. Keep them in an airtight container for up to three days. Freezing works too! Wrap them well.

Then, they are good for up to two months. Reheat them gently in the oven or microwave. Keep on eye on it that they do not become soggy.

This is one of the Easy fall desserts that last long.

Variations - Make It Your Own!

Feeling adventurous? Swap the apples for pears. Fancy a nutty crunch? Add half a cup of chopped pecans to the crumble.

For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure you also use gluten-free oats. If you are vegan use a vegan baking butter substitute.

There are ways to adapt these bars for everyone! You might even be able to create some Mini Apple Crisp Cheesecake Recipes from it.

Nutrition Basics - The Good Stuff

Each bar has around 350-400 calories. There's also about 4g of protein, and 18g of fat. Also, around 50g of carbs.

They have around 3g of fiber and 25g of sugar. This makes it comfort food desserts ! Remember, these are estimates and can change based on your ingredients.

I know it seems like a lot, but I promise these Apple Crumble Bars are so worth it. Don’t be scared to experiment.

Have fun, and enjoy your amazing Autumn baking recipes ! You can create the Mini Apple Pie Cheesecake Bites . You can also add it to a Fall potluck desserts .

It can also be a great addition to your Thanksgiving dessert ideas . Don't forget this is basically a riff on the Apple crumble recipe so feel free to tweak it!.

And think about how amazing it could be to make Multiple Desserts In One Pan using similar ingredients. Go on, you got this!.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some other fall dessert ideas besides apple crumble bars?

While apple crumble bars are fantastic, there are loads of other fall dessert ideas! Think pumpkin pie (of course!), pecan pie bars, or even a spiced pear cake. You could also get creative with things like maple glazed donuts or a cranberry orange loaf anything that celebrates those warm autumn spices and seasonal fruits.

Can I make these apple crumble bars ahead of time for, say, a Bonfire Night party?

Absolutely! These apple crumble bars are great make-ahead treats. Once baked and cooled completely, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

They're also freezer friendly just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and they'll keep for up to 2 months. Just let them thaw completely before serving... maybe with a dollop of clotted cream!

My crumble topping always ends up too dry or too wet. Any tips?

Ah, the dreaded crumble conundrum! The key is using cold butter and not overmixing. You want pea-sized pieces of butter throughout the crumble mixture. If it's too dry, add a tiny bit of melted butter, a teaspoon at a time, until it just starts to clump together.

If it's too wet, add a tablespoon of flour or oats at a time until it reaches the right consistency. Think Goldilocks not too wet, not too dry, but just right!

I'm trying to be a bit healthier. Are there any substitutions I can make to these fall dessert ideas to reduce the sugar or fat?

You bet! To reduce sugar, you could use unsweetened applesauce in place of some of the granulated sugar in the filling, or use a sugar substitute like Stevia or Monk Fruit, but be mindful of taste changes. For fat, try using a lighter butter or even a small amount of coconut oil in the crust and crumble.

Also, adding oats to the crumble increases fiber and makes it more filling, so you might be satisfied with a smaller portion! Remember portion control is key when enjoying any dessert.

What kind of apples work best for these fall dessert ideas? Can I mix them?

A mix of tart and sweet apples is the way to go for the best flavor! Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji are great for sweetness, while Granny Smith adds a lovely tartness. Combining different apple varieties gives a more complex and interesting flavor to the filling. It's like a little apple symphony in every bite!