There’s really nothing like apple pie in the fall. Being gluten free and an amateur baker, making homemade pie crust is not something I want to spend time doing. Enter my lazy version of apple pie, but in bar form! These are grain free, gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free and taste AMAZING! They’ve got a delicious “crust”, and are made gooey and sweet using layers of apple butter and real apples. They’re topped with a delicious and sweet crumb. These layers are perfect, and a bit healthier than traditional apple pie. Plus they’re easy to make, and make your kitchen smell like heaven! I love serving these up with some caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream for the ultimate fall treat. Let me know if you make these and leave a comment below. Enjoy!
Apple Butter Crumb Bars
Ingredients
Ingredients for crust and crumb
- 1/2 cup smooth and creamy nut butter almond or cashew butter work well
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups blanched superfine almond flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- handful of granola for extra topping optional
Ingredients for filling
- 1 cup apple butter (store-bought or homemade) Note: If using store bought and unsweetened apple butter, sweeten to your desire. I use Eden Organic apple butter (no sugar added) and I used about 3 tablespoons of coconut sugar to sweeten the apple butter.
- 2 tart and sweet apples (I like using pink lady or honeycrisp), very thinly sliced (you may leave skin on or remove)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp arrowroot powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp apple pie spice or any other spices of choice (e.g., cardamom, nutmeg, etc.) I use Primal Palate's apple pie spice blend
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper, or grease it.
- Combine all dry ingredients for the crust and crumb in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine all wet ingredients for the crust and crumb in a separate mixing bowl.
- Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well until a crumbly yet sticky dough like consistency forms.
- Use fingers to press 2/3 of the dough to the base of the baking dish into an even crust.
- Next, create the filling. Combine all dry ingredients for the filling, and then wet ingredients separately (except for the apple butter!). Combine all ingredients with apple slices and mix well. Apple slices should be coated evenly. Set aside.
- Evenly spread apple butter on top of crust in baking dish.
- Then, layer apple slices evenly in rows on top of the apple butter.
- Finally, take remaining dough and use fingers to crumble it on top. You may also wish to add some granola on top for extra crunch. I love using Purely Elizabeth's grain free vanilla and almond butter granola.
- Bake in oven for 30-35 minutes or until bubbling and golden brown on top.
- Remove from oven when finished and let cool completely. Cut into squares once cooled.
- Before serving, serve at room temperature or warmed up with some vanilla ice cream or gluten free caramel sauce on top. Enjoy!
