The Minimalist Baker's Apple Pie Crumble Bars make a delicious seasonal dessert... or a decadent breakfast!
Ingredients
(US Customary - Metric)
FILLING
4 heaping cups peeled, cubed apples (half sweet + half tart apples // 1 apple yields ~1 cup cubed)
3 Tbsp coconut sugar (depending on sweetness of apples)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 medium lemon, juiced (yields ~3 Tbsp or 45 ml as original recipe is written)
1 Tbsp melted coconut oil
1 tsp cornstarch
CRUST
1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
1 cup raw almonds
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 Tbsp coconut sugar
4 1/2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
CRUMBLE TOPPING
3 Tbsp coconut sugar
3 Tbsp gluten-free flour (DIY blend or Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free Blend)
1/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats
1 1/2 Tbsp coconut oil
GLAZE (optional)
1 cups organic powdered sugar (ensure vegan friendly - I like Trader Joe's brand)
1-2 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper (adjust number/size of pan if altering batch size)
- Add apples to a separate baking dish along with coconut sugar, cinnamon, sea salt, lemon, coconut oil, and cornstarch. Toss to combine.
- Cover with foil and bake for 18 minutes. Then remove foil and bake for 4-5 minutes more or until apples appear slightly caramelized and are tender to the touch.
- While the apples finish baking, add oats, almonds, sea salt, and coconut sugar to a food processor or high speed blender and pulse into a fine meal, making sure no large pieces remain.
- Add melted coconut oil and pulse a few more times until a crumbly dough forms that resembles wet sand and sticks together when squeezed between two fingers.
- Spread the mixture into the baking dish and press down into an even layer with your fingers or a flat object (such as a drinking glass or liquid measuring cup).
- Bake for 15 minutes at 350 (176C), then increase heat to 375 degrees F (190 C) and bake for 5-8 minutes more, or until the crust is fragrant and the edges are light golden brown. Set aside.
- While crust is baking, prepare crumble by adding all ingredients to a small mixing bowl and using a fork or your fingers to mix ingredients into a crumble. Set aside.
- Add baked apples and their juices/sauce to the pre-baked crust and spread into an even layer. Then top with crumble topping and spread evenly to cover apples.
- Reduce oven heat back to 350 degrees F (176 C) and bake for another 15-25 minutes or until the apples topping are warm and bubbly and the crumble is golden brown.
- If serving with glaze (optional), prepare at this time by adding powdered sugar to a mixing bowl and adding 1 Tbsp (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) almond milk to start. Whisk until a thick but pourable glaze is achieved. If too thick, add more almond milk. If too thin, add more powdered sugar. Set aside.
- Remove squares from oven and let cool slightly - about 45 minutes. Once cooled, gently lift bars from pan and top with glaze (optional). Slice into 9 even squares (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size).
- These can be somewhat crumbly and are best enjoyed with a fork! For extra decadence, enjoy with plenty of coconut whipped cream or Vanilla Bean Coconut Ice Cream!
- Store leftovers in a well-sealed container at room temperature for 2 days, in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or the freezer up to 1 month.