Kelly's Calico Apple Bars

Indulge in the irresistible flavors of fall with Kelly's Calico Apple Bars, a dessert that's as comforting as it is delicious. These bars feature a buttery, crumbly shortbread crust topped with a warm spiced apple filling, made with freshly diced apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp and infused with cinnamon and nutmeg. A golden streusel layer, blended with rolled oats and vanilla, adds the perfect touch of crunch and sweetness. Ideal for cozy gatherings or holiday parties, these easy-to-make apple bars come together in just over an hour and can be served plain or with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. Whether you're seeking a crowd-pleasing dessert or a sweet snack, these apple bars are sure to be a hit. Perfect for fall baking, "Kelly's Calico Apple Bars" is a recipe you'll come back to again and again.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly and resembles coarse sand.

Step 3

Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture for topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.

Step 4

While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling. In a medium-sized bowl, toss the diced apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and cornstarch until the apples are evenly coated.

Step 5

Spread the apple mixture evenly over the partially baked crust.

Step 6

To make the streusel topping, mix the remaining crumb mixture with the rolled oats and vanilla extract in a bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apple layer.

Step 7

Bake the apple bars in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.

Step 8

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 12 squares or bars. Serve as is or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1736.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4717.0

Total Fat 202.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 123.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 516.7mg	0%
Sodium 1257.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 703.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.5g	0%
Total Sugars 392.8g
Protein 49.3g	0%

Vitamin D 116.7IU	0%
Calcium 293.4mg	0%
Iron 19.7mg	0%
Potassium 1730.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.7%

Protein: 4.1%

Carbs: 58.2%