Ingredients with Measurements:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups peeled and chopped apples
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Special equipment needed:
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Pastry cutter or fork
- Spatula
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and line with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
3. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in 1 cup of cold and cubed unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. In another mixing bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until well combined.
5. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and press down firmly.
6. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of peeled and chopped apples and 1/2 cup of caramel sauce. Spread the apple mixture over the crust.
7. In another mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
8. Pour 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter over the flour mixture and stir until well combined.
9. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the apple layer.
10. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
11. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40-45 minutes
Temperature:
350°F (180°C)
Serving size:
12-16 bars
Nutritional information:
Calories: 350
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 75mg
Sodium: 120mg
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 27g
Protein: 3g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- All-purpose flour can be substituted with gluten-free flour.
- Granulated sugar can be substituted with coconut sugar.
- Unsalted butter can be substituted with salted butter.
- Rolled oats can be substituted with quick oats.
- Brown sugar can be substituted with coconut sugar.
Variations:
- Add chopped nuts to the crumble mixture.
- Use different types of apples for the filling.
- Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the bars before serving.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the crumble mixture.
Tips and tricks:
- Make sure the butter is cold when cutting it into the flour mixture.
- Press the crust mixture firmly into the baking dish to prevent it from crumbling.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting into them to prevent them from falling apart.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Storage instructions:
Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheating instructions:
Reheat the bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes.
Presentation ideas:
Serve the bars on a platter with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Garnishes:
Garnish the bars with chopped nuts or whipped cream.
Pairings:
Serve the bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of hot apple cider.
Suggested side dishes:
Serve the bars with a side of fresh fruit or a green salad.
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the crust is too crumbly, add a little more butter to the mixture.
- If the bars are too soft, bake them for a few more minutes.
Food safety advice:
Make sure to wash your hands and clean all surfaces and utensils before preparing the recipe. Store the bars in the refrigerator to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Food history:
Caramel apple crumble bars are a modern twist on classic apple pie. The combination of sweet caramel, tart apples, and buttery crumble is a crowd-pleaser.
Flavor profiles:
Sweet, tart, buttery, and caramel-y.
Serving suggestions:
Serve the bars as a dessert or a sweet snack.
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Taste: Sweet, Caramelized, Fruity, Nutty, Cinnamon