My neighbor showed up at my doorstep with a bag of gorgeous apples freshly picked from the apple orchard. I had no choice; I had to make a warm, slightly gooey apple dessert that is perfect for weekend snacking and after- school treats.
This Dairy, Egg and Nut Free Apple Cinnamon Crunch Bars are a delicious cross between an apple crisp and an apple pie. I love this treat slightly warmed with a small scoop of soy ice cream right on top of it. My 10-year-old daughter loves it for breakfast…though I have to admit it is a bit of a stretch to serve for breakfast. But once in a while, who cares if you serve treats for breakfast, right?
Enjoy these beautiful fall days everyone…they go by way too fast. Happy Baking!
DAIRY, EGG AND NUT FREE APPLE CINNAMON CRUNCH BARS
CRUST
- 2 c. unbleached all purpose flour
- 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 1/2 c. quick cooking oats (PLUS 1 c. ADDITIONAL OATS TO ADD FOR TOPPING LATER)
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 c. dairy free margarine (I use unsalted Fleischman’s), cut into small cubes
- 2 T. water
APPLE FILLING
- 4 c. peeled and thinly sliced apples (I use any variety I have on hand, but love a mixture of different varieties like Braeburn, Cortland, Gala and Granny Smith.
- 1/4 c. unbleached all purpose flour
- 3/4 c. brown sugar (light)
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 13 x 9 glass baking dish with dairy free baking spray, set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, 1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 c. oats, baking powder and salt with a wire whisk. Add cubes of dairy free margarine and cut in with a pastry cutter or two knives. Once mixture is the size of peas (some bigger chunks are fine too) add the water and stir with a rubber spatula until incorporated. Press half of mixture into prepared baking pan using the back of a measuring cup or spoon, or use your hands but slightly wet them to make this process easier. Set aside. Add an additional 1 c. oats to the remaining flour mixture in the bowl and mix thoroughly using a rubber spatula.
In a medium bowl, combine apples, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Pour apple mixture over the prepared crust in baking dish. Sprinkle remaining flour/oat mixture over the apples and bake about 45 minutes or until top is lightly golden brown. Cool and cut into squares.
