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Brown Butter Apple Crisp Bars

These bars are a delicious new way to enjoy apple crisp.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 16 people
Calories 2599.6 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Medium Saucepan For browning butter and cooking apples
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl For preparing the oat crust and topping
  • 1 9x9-inch Square Baking Pan For baking the crisp bars
  • 1 Small Bowl or Measuring Cup For preparing the cornstarch slurry
  • 1 Whisk or Spatula For stirring and mixing ingredients

Ingredients
  

Main

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 large Granny Smith apples - peeled cored, and thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon divided
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 2 teaspoons water
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 ½ cups rolled oats
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Place 1/2 cup butter in a medium, light-colored saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, swirling often, until butter is browned and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Pour into a large mixing bowl and set brown butter aside.
  • Combine apples, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and pinch of salt in the same saucepan. Place the pan back over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened, about 10 minutes.
  • Mix water and cornstarch together in a small bowl or measuring cup. Pour mixture into the saucepan and stir to combine. Cook until mixture thickens slightly, 1 to 2 more minutes. Remove pan from the heat and let cool slightly.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with enough parchment paper to have overhang on all sides.
  • Add oats, flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, vanilla, baking soda, nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the brown butter and mix until well combined. Measure out 1 cup of this mixture and set aside for topping.
  • Pour remaining oat mixture into the prepared pan; firmly press into an even layer. Pour apples and sauce over the crust and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown and crisp, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely, about 30 minutes, before slicing into 16 bars.

Notes

1. Brown Butter Perfection: Use a light-colored saucepan to monitor the butter's color change closely. Swirl constantly to ensure even browning and prevent scorching. The goal is a nutty aroma and an amber color, not burnt solids.2. Apple Texture: Granny Smith apples provide a crucial tart counterpoint. Cook them until just tender-crisp; they will finish cooking in the oven, retaining some bite for better texture.3. Cooling is Key: Do not rush the cooling process! Allowing the bars to cool completely is essential for the filling to set and for clean, neat slices. Rushing this step will result in a messy, crumbly bar.4. Flavor Boost: A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt sprinkled over the top before baking can enhance all the flavors.