Grain-Free Apple Pie Bars
Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free
If you are an avid fan of apple pie, then this dessert is right up your alley! These apple pie bars go well with a great cup of coffee to start your day. Want to have them for lunch at school? Why not? Bake some on your next family brunch? Great idea! This recipe is scrumptious at every bite and best of all, they're made with allergy-friendly ingredients - perfect for those who crave a healthy, tasty dessert at the end of their meal.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 9
Ingredients:
Crust and Crumb Topping:
- ½ cup coconut sugar or regular sugar
- ½ teaspoon Otto's Naturals Grain-Free Baking Powder
- 1 1/8 cup Otto's Naturals - Cassava Flour, 170-175 grams
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup very cold unsalted butter (8 Tablespoons or 1 stick of butter)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Apple Pie Filling:
- 2 ½ cups apples, chopped into small pieces
- Juice of ½ a lemon (optional)
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar or regular sugar
- 2 teaspoons tapioca or arrowroot starch
- ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Place parchment paper on the bottom of the 8x8 pan so that it hangs over the side of the pan. (This will make it way easier to remove the bars after cooking.)
- To make the crust/crumble, stir together the sugar, cassava flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
- Using a fork or a pastry cutter, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture. Work with the dough until the pieces are very small. The dough will be crumbly. You can also pulse in a food processor until you get pea-sized crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg and vanilla with a fork. Add to the flour mixture and combine until you have a crumbly mixture.
- Press and pat down half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Set aside in the refrigerator.
- To make the filling, stir together 1/3 cup sugar and tapioca or arrowroot in a bowl. Stir in the apples and cinnamon and mix well.
- Spoon the apple mixture evenly over the bottom crust.
- Crumble the remaining crumb mixture over the top of the apple filling layer.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is slightly golden brown.
- Allow to cool and then pop in the refrigerator to completely set up. Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!
What are the best apples for baking?
Choosing the right apples for your baking recipes is very important. Why? No one wants watery pies or soggy pastries when opening the oven. Granny Smith apples are available year round which is why they are considered one of the best apples to use for baking. They do not mush easily when baked and can retain enough moisture to hold that tarty flavor you need to make your bars delicious! Honey Crisp apples are famously used to make apple pies and other apple-centered pastries as well. They have a sweet flavor and are firm; which is also the perfect kind for baking.
How long can these apple pie bars last?
Your Grain-Free Apple Pie Bars can can be stored in the refrigerator for several days!
