Apple Fritter Bars
These apple fritter bars are incredibly simple to make and have the best fall flavor. They’re packed with fresh apples, held together by a rich, brown butter oatmeal base, and finished with a sweet maple glaze that ties it all together. While they’re perfect any time of year, they truly shine during the fall baking season.
Ingredients
For the apples
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 Granny Smith apple
For the crust
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the maple glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
For the apples
- Dice the apple into 1/2 inch pieces and place in a medium bowl. Add the ground cinnamon and dark brown sugar and toss to combine.
For the crust
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat, add the cubed butter. Once it starts to melt and sizzle, add the oats. Continue stirring until the butter has browned and you see the yummy toasty bits. Don’t stop stirring or it may burn. Remove the butter oat mixture and place in a large glass bowl to cool for about 10 minutes.
- Add 3/4 cup light brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix until combined.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
- Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix just until combined.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Add the crust mixture to the pan. Use an offset spatula to press it evenly into the pan.
- Pour the apples over the crust and spread evenly. Gently press the apples into the crust a bit.
- Bake for 30-33 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
- Let cool in pan for at least 5 minutes before adding the glaze. As soon as you add the glaze, carefully pick up the pan and tilt it from side to side to help the glaze evenly cover the whole pan. Cool for at least another 30 minutes. Then cut into 16 squares. Enjoy!
For the maple glaze
- Add the maple glaze ingredients to a small bowl and stir to combine.
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.