Coconut Oil Apple Crumb Bars
These Coconut Oil Apple Crumb Bars are so delicious – a simple shortbread crust, sweet cinnamon apples, and the best crumb topping. Made with coconut oil they are completely dairy free and you won’t even miss the butter!
These Coconut Oil Apple Crumb Bars are so easy to make. If you have ever felt intimidated by pie, then these are for you! Even though my pie skills have improved, I still feel more confident with desserts like this. They remind me a lot of apple pie, but in hand held form. The base is a simple shortbread with only a few ingredients and then it’s filled with sliced apples and topped with a delicious crumb topping. The apples cook and get slightly soft, but still retain some of their crunch. The crumb on top brings it all together for one perfectly delicious bite. Shortbread usually relies on 3 ingredients- butter, flour, and sugar. Instead of butter, I used Golden Barrel Butter Flavored Coconut Oil and it worked so great. It works just as good as butter and even has that distinct flavor. It is the perfect substitute!
I live in Michigan where apples are a pretty big deal. I grew up going to cider mills and it is still one of my favorite things to do in the fall. I love picking apples, but I also love that I can get local apples for 50 cents a pound at the store while they’re in season. I always buy more than we can eat which means I get to bake with them and I have no problem with that. Cool crisp air, leaves changing colors, and apple bars baking in the oven – sounds like the perfect fall day! This weekend temperatures were in the 60’s and it was the start of football season – that’s the official kickoff to fall in my book.
These bars whip up in no time at all!
Preheat the oven to 300°F and line a 9×9 pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Lining the pan with foil isn’t necessary, but it really helps when it comes to removing them and cutting into bars. It also makes clean up so easy. Mix the shortbread ingredients in a small bowl and press into the bottom of the lined pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
While the crust is baking, make the apple filling. It is the perfect amount of time to peel, core, and cut the apples. Toss them together with some cinnamon, sugar, flour, and a touch of salt.
You should also have time to make the crumb topping. Combine oats, Golden Barrel Brown Sugar, cinnamon, flour, Golden Barrel Butter Flavored Coconut Oil, and Golden Barrel Raw Sugar together. I find that the best way to mix everything is with clean hands in a pie dish. It is wide enough to mix it all and the perfect depth to keep the ingredients from spilling. If there is one key ingredient to every crumb topping it would have to be brown sugar and Golden Barrel’s brown sugar is so moist and delicious! It really makes this crumb topping the best!
Remove the crust after 10 minutes and raise the oven temperature to 350°F. Carefully layer the coated apples on top then top with the crumb mixture. Place back in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Eat warm or let cool, remove from pan, and cut into squares.
If you’re anything like me and love apples then these are the bars for you! They also happen to be dairy free and vegan for those who follow those guidelines.
- 1/2 cup Golden Barrel Butter Flavored Coconut Oil melted
- 1-1/3 cup flour
- 1/3 cup Golden Barrel Raw Sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 medium apples
- 2 tbsp Golden Barrel Raw Sugar
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup Golden Barrel Butter Flavored Coconut Oil room temperature
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/3 cup Golden Barrel Organic Light Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Golden Barrel Raw Sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Preheat oven to 300°F and line a 9x9 baking dish with foil. Spray with non-stick spray and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine coconut oil, flour, sugar, and salt. Press evenly into the bottom of the pan and bake for 10 minutes.
- While the crust is baking make the apple filling. Peel the apples and cut them into fourths, remove the core and cut each forth into 4-5 thin slices. Place all the slices in a large bowl and add sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Toss until all the apple pieces are coated with the mixture.
- Make the crumb topping: In a bowl or pie plate (what I find is the easiest), combine coconut oil, oats, flour, brown sugar, raw sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well- the best way to do that is with clean hands.
- Once the crust is done baking raise the oven temperature to 350°F. Evenly layer the apple slices on top of the crust (while still warm).
- Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apples and bake 30-35 minutes. Eat warm or let cool to slice evenly.
Related Posts:
