Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Apple Streusel Bars

Surely the apple is the noblest of fruits.

I’m a bit of a procrastinator. Actually, more than a bit. I like to put things off, tell myself I’ll get them done later. I put off doing the dishes until there isn’t a clean fork in the house. I don’t wash my car until you can hardly tell what color it is.

apple streusel bars

Because of this little personality quirk (that’s the nice way to put it?) of mine, I’ve put off making these apple streusel bars till the first day of December, instead of back when apples where in season locally. Geesh!

apple streusel bars

I’m glad I finally got around to making them though, because they are delightful. The bottom tastes almost like short bread, and the apple topping is perfectly gooey. They are simple to throw together too, just pat out the dough, cup up some apples and you’re done! They are a bit of a hot mess coming out of the pan, crumbly and messy, but that’s partly because I can never wait until it’s completely cooled to take it out of the pan. Not a procrastinator there!

Now, let’s hope I can get some gingerbread made before Christmas.

apple streusel bars

Apple Streusel Bars
from Our Best Bites


Pastry:
2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. real butter, softened
1 egg, beaten

Apple Filling:
1/2 c. white sugar
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 c. (about 3 medium) sliced, peeled baking apples (I used gala)

Glaze:
2 c. powdered sugar
About 3 Tbsp. milk (whole milk is best)
1/2 tsp. almond extract


To prepare crust, mix flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until you have pea-sized crumbles. Gently mix in beaten egg.

Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Gently pat about 2/3 of the crumb mixture onto the bottom of the dish. Preheat oven to 350 and set aside.

To prepare apple filling, combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon and toss with apples.

Spread apples out on prepared crust. Sprinkle reserved crust mixture over apples evenly and bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.

When finished, allow to cool.

To prepare glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, almond extract, and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Spoon glaze on top of bars. (I like to glaze them when they’re still a little warm, so the topping isn’t bright white.)

52 comments:

  1. I am a big fan of apples and of course they are even better in dessert form..ha! Love these!

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  2. How do you do it? Your pictures are PERFECT every single time. I'm always so inspired... (and obviously a little hungry).

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  3. I love the quality of your photos. I'm also regretting missing out on peak apple season! Maybe I can just catch the tail end... Thanks for the lovely post!

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  4. Hmmm... I don't know why my previous comment showed my TypePad profile ID # instead of my name, but that was me! :) xo, Dawn

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  5. Yummy! I love anything with apples!

    -A-
    www.mywickedwickedways.org

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  6. These look perfect. I love desserts with apples.

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  7. Procrastinators, unite! ;) So glad you did make these bars, since they sound wonderful.

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  8. Once again, your photos are stunning. I want some apple bars now...

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  9. Oh my, I'm not surprised why you want to eat all these. Your photos are always gorgeous.

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  10. the apple streusel bars look like the perfect snacks! :)

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  11. This looks way too perfect. I'd love a slice or two right about now (but maybe dinner would be a more sensible choice).

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  12. these bars looked and sounded so good, i had to make them immediately. i'm waiting for them to finish cooking, so i can also not wait for them to cool all the way.

    thanks for another fantastic recipe!

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  13. Yum! These look wonderful... These were on my list to bake and I haven't gotten around to them yet, either. Now I'm wishing I had.

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  14. What lovely bars! I love apple desserts and streusels!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  15. The most delicious foods are often the messiest. You manage to make it look amazing anyway.

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  16. its never too late for apple treats! I've still got a bunch in my fridge.....and I know just what to do with them:)

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  17. looks positively delicious. aren't gala apples the best? i use them in my "winter bowl of bliss".

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  18. I love the idea of putting glaze on apple sreusel bars! They look just fabulous, as do your lovely photos.

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  19. delicious, decadent, and delightful. i find all apple desserts to fit that description, and these are certainly no exception. and hey--there's nothing wrong with a little procrastination. :)

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  20. looks absolutely scrumptious and perfect, Hannah!

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  21. My name is Charity and I somehow stumbled upon your blog one day--I love the pictures (and the recipes!)--thanks! What kind of camera do you use? I am just getting into photography and recently bought a Nikon D3000. Keep up the good work!

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  22. I always put things off to the last moment - glad I'm not the only one! These apple bars look truly scrumptious, I love apples in any form :)

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  23. Mmmmmmm!

    (Hannah, what lens are you using lately? Beautiful work!)

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  24. gorgeous! the recipe. the pictures. i love it. btw-- i haven't washed my car in 2 years.

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  25. Gotta love that 50mm 1.4 lens right?! I just got one before our trip and I'm in love. :)

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  26. I just found your blog and your photos are beautiful. I will have to try some of the recipes too they all look good.

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  27. Great recipe! I am such a fan of your photography and I was excited to see that you were a finalist as well in the POM contest. I love your work.

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  28. Yes, gingerbread must be made pre-Christmas. But I'm so glad you made these apple streusel bars - hearing about them on Twitter made me impatient to *see* them! :)

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  29. They look delightful Hannah and I kinda like the look of those messy gooey yummy desserts! Btw, we're "right there", I do thesame things procrastinate AND cut into my baked goodies waaaay before I should.
    ~ingrid

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  30. Anything with apples has got to be healthy...right? Your apple streusel bars look yummy.
    Mimi

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  31. I don't remember how I came about your blog, but boy am I glad I did. You're funny and awfully talented. Love the blog.

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  32. I'm so loving all the apple treats everyone is posting!

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  33. Made this today. Easy and super delish. Needed a little more milk to thin the glaze out a bit. This one's a keeper. Thanks

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  34. Lovely photos! Our family, for some reason, didn't do any apple-y desserts for Thanksgiving this year, so I'm going to have to make up for lost time with these...

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  35. These look divine! Beautiful photos and site! I totally understand what you mean about procrastinating, I'm that way too. I'll have a recipe in mind and I'll make a billion other things before that particular one. I really want to try and make these!

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  36. I just discovered your blog and I only want to express how wonderful it is. Your pictures are stunning.

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  37. I made these a few weeks ago for a friend and he is STILL talking about how good they were! So I made them again yesterday. Such a delicious recipe, one of my new favorites! Thank you for sharing

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  38. My grandmother used to made this recipe when she was alive so it makes feel many things when I prepare it.

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  39. Just made these - they were absolutely phenomenal. I decided I needed an apple dessert, and instantly thought of your blog for inspiration.

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