These Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars offer a delightful twist on a classic dessert, bringing together a tender sourdough crust with a sweet, comforting apple filling.
They’re perfect for any occasion, whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight treat or something special to share with guests. The beauty of this recipe lies in its approachable nature, making it accessible even for those new to baking with sourdough.
Imagine the warm aroma of cinnamon and apples filling your kitchen, followed by the satisfying crunch of a crumble topping over a soft, fruity center. These bars are designed to be both easy to prepare and utterly delicious, providing a homemade touch without requiring hours in the kitchen. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this irresistible dessert.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes - 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 bars 1x
Description
These Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars offer a delightful twist on a classic dessert, bringing together a tender sourdough crust with a sweet, comforting apple filling. They’re perfect for any occasion, whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight treat or something special to share with guests. The beauty of this recipe lies in its approachable nature, making it accessible even for those new to baking with sourdough. Imagine the warm aroma of cinnamon and apples filling your kitchen, followed by the satisfying crunch of a crumble topping over a soft, fruity center. These bars are designed to be both easy to prepare and utterly delicious, providing a homemade touch without requiring hours in the kitchen. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this irresistible dessert.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract and sourdough discard until well combined. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
3. Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan. You can use your hands or the back of a spoon to create a firm, even layer.
4. In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated with the spice mixture.
5. Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the crust in the baking pan. Try to get an even layer so each bar has a good amount of apple.
6. Take the remaining one-third of the dough and crumble it over the apple layer. In a separate small bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Cut in the cold butter pieces using your fingertips or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this crumble mixture evenly over the top of the apples.
7. Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly and tender when pierced with a fork. The edges of the crust should also be lightly golden.
8. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. Allow the bars to cool for at least 30-60 minutes (or even longer) to ensure they set properly, making them much easier to cut into clean, neat squares.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
Keywords: sourdough, apple, crumble, bars, dessert, baking, easy, comfort food, fall, sweet
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true gem for anyone seeking a comforting dessert that doesn’t demand advanced baking skills. It’s perfect for busy parents, new bakers, or anyone who appreciates a delicious homemade treat without the fuss. The sourdough component in the crust adds a subtle tang and depth of flavor that elevates the classic apple crumble, making it more interesting than your average bar. You’ll love how the tender crust perfectly complements the sweet, spiced apple filling, all topped with a buttery, crunchy crumble. These bars are incredibly versatile, making them ideal for a casual family dessert, a potluck contribution, or even a sweet addition to your brunch spread. They offer that cozy, nostalgic feeling of apple pie in an easy-to-eat bar form, making them a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start baking is a simple step that can save you a lot of time and stress in the kitchen. This recipe uses readily available items, ensuring you won’t need to hunt for obscure ingredients. The sourdough discard is the star of the crust, providing a unique flavor profile without the need for active sourdough starter or lengthy fermentation.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sourdough discard (at 100% hydration)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 4 cups)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for crumble topping)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for crumble topping)
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (for crumble topping)
For the apples, choose varieties that hold their shape well when baked, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn. A mix of sweet and tart apples can create a more complex flavor. If you don’t have sourdough discard, you can substitute it with an equal amount of plain yogurt or buttermilk for a similar tender texture, though the unique sourdough tang will be absent. Feel free to adjust the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg to your personal preference, or even add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for extra warmth.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
Preparing these Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars is a relatively quick process, making them perfect for when you want a homemade treat without spending all day in the kitchen.
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Baking Time: 40-45 minutes
- Cooling Time: 30-60 minutes (essential for clean slices)
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes
While the active prep time is minimal, allowing the bars to cool properly is crucial for them to set and be easily cut into neat squares. Rushing the cooling process can result in crumbly, messy bars, so patience is key for the best presentation.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating these delightful Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfect batch every time.
- Prepare Your Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. This step ensures your bars won’t stick and makes for easy cleanup.
- Mix the Crust Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract and sourdough discard until well combined. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
- Press the Crust into the Pan: Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan. You can use your hands or the back of a spoon to create a firm, even layer. This forms the base of your crumble bars.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated with the spice mixture. The lemon juice helps prevent browning and brightens the apple flavor.
- Assemble the Layers: Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the crust in the baking pan. Try to get an even layer so each bar has a good amount of apple.
- Create the Crumble Topping: Take the remaining one-third of the dough and crumble it over the apple layer. In a separate small bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Cut in the cold butter pieces using your fingertips or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this crumble mixture evenly over the top of the apples.
- Bake the Bars: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly and tender when pierced with a fork. The edges of the crust should also be lightly golden.
- Cool Completely Before Slicing: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. This is a critical step! Allowing the bars to cool for at least 30-60 minutes (or even longer) ensures they set properly, making them much easier to cut into clean, neat squares.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
These Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars are wonderfully adaptable, making them a fantastic base for various flavor twists and serving options.
For a nutty crunch, try adding 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping. If you’re a fan of caramel, a drizzle of store-bought caramel sauce over the warm bars just before serving takes them to another level. You could also swap out half of the apples for pears for a delightful apple-pear crumble bar. For a touch of citrus, add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the apple filling. Kids often love these bars as is, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream makes them an extra special treat.
These bars are perfect for a casual dessert after dinner, a lunchbox treat, or a portable snack. They travel well, making them ideal for potlucks, picnics, or school events. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a classic pairing, or enjoy them at room temperature with a cup of coffee or tea. For a brunch spread, they can be a sweet counterpoint to savory dishes.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Knowing what to look out for can help you achieve perfect Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars every time.
One common mistake is overmixing the crust dough. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough, dense crust instead of a tender one. Mix until just combined, and no more. Another frequent issue is not cooling the bars completely before cutting. This is perhaps the most crucial step for clean slices. If you cut them while warm, the filling will be too soft, and the bars will crumble and fall apart. Resist the urge to cut them immediately; patience will be rewarded with perfectly formed bars.
Using too much or too little apple filling can also affect the outcome. Too much filling can make the bars soggy, while too little leaves them dry. Stick to the recommended amount of about 4 cups of diced apples. Finally, not greasing and flouring the pan properly can lead to sticking. Even if using parchment paper, a light spray of cooking oil can ensure easy removal, especially from the edges.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Proper storage is key to keeping your Sourdough Apple Crumble Bars fresh and delicious, and they can certainly be made ahead for convenience.
Storing Leftovers: Once completely cooled, store the
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
