👩🍳 INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat and Prepare:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Make the Crust & Topping:
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In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.
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Using a pastry cutter, your fingers, or a fork, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
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Add the egg and mix with a fork until the dough begins to clump together. It will be crumbly.
3. Assemble the Layers:
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Press slightly more than half of the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
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In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well coated. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.
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Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the apples.
4. Bake to Perfection:
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Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is a light golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
5. Cool and Serve:
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Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack. This is essential for the bars to set properly.
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Once cool, use the parchment paper to lift the entire slab out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve.
💡 Pro-Tips:
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Cold Butter is Key: Using cold butter is essential for creating a flaky, crumbly texture in the crust and topping.
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Apple Variety: Using a mix of tart (like Granny Smith) and sweet (like Honeycrisp) apples creates the most complex and delicious flavor.
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Dice Evenly: Cut the apples into small, uniform pieces (about ½-inch) to ensure they cook through evenly and are easy to bite into.
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Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
