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These Apple Crumble Bars are just like an apple pie, but in bar form. They also are topped with a yummy crumble topping. If you’ve apple picked this year, this recipe is for you.

stacked bars on a white plate with caramel drizzled over the top.


Cake Mix Apple Crumble

These apple bars are the perfect recipe for the fall season. I love to top them with caramel sauce and cool ice cream because it goes great with this warm dessert. These Apple Crumb Bars are super easy because the recipe starts out with cake mix and has only 6 ingredients as well. It is a must make recipe. 

Ingredients Needed

  • Yellow cake mix: This is the base of the recipe. You can use any brand, yellow or white cake mix.
  • Unsalted butter: melted
  • Apples: You can use whatever kind you would like. I prefer baking with Granny Smith.
  • Ground cinnamon: Adds flavor and makes your kitchen smell amazing.
  • Quick cooking oats: Gives the bars some more texture and is a classic crumble ingredient. Make your own quick oats if you only have old fashioned!

What are the best apples for baking?

When you think about it, there are so many apples and they all have diverse tastes. So many apples are great for baking and at the end of the day it is really personal preference. That being said, my favorite to use while baking are Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, and Braeburn. 

How to make Apple Crumble Bars

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13” pan with foil or parchment and nonstick cooking spray (optional for easy release).
  • Stir together cake mix and melted butter until crumbly. Using a fork makes this easy.
  • Place apples in a microwave safe bowl with 1/4 cup of water. Heat in the microwave on high power for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the apples are just starting to get soft. (Length of time varies by microwave.) Drain the apples very well, then toss with cinnamon and sugar.
  • Press half the cake mix into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust. Spread the apples over the top of the crust.
  • Stir oats into the remaining cake mixture and sprinkle over the top of the apples.
  • Bake 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and bottom is cooked through. Cool completely before slicing. Serve with ice cream and caramel sauce.
stacked bars on a white plate with caramel drizzled over the top.

Expert Tips

  • These bars are very crumbly, so it is very important that you let them cool before slicing them. 
  • This recipe asks that you place the apples in the microwave for 2 minutes. This is an important step and should not be skipped, otherwise you’ll have crunchy apples.
  • It is best to eat these on a plate with a fork because they crumble easily. Top with ice cream for a delicious fall dessert.

FAQs

Can you serve these as bars or do they need a fork?

Because of these bars’ crumbley nature, I would recommend serving them with a fork to avoid a mess. 

Can you freeze these bars?

You can in an airtight container!

stacked bars on a white plate with caramel drizzled over the top.

Apple Crumble Bars

5 from 4 votes
Apple Crumble Bars are an easy apple pie bar that start with a cake mix!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Yield 12 servings
Serving Size 1 serving

Ingredients
 

  • 1 (approx. 15 ounce) box yellow cake mix
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter melted
  • 6 apples your favorite kind, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1 tablespoon (13g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup (85g) quick cooking oats
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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13” pan with foil or parchment and nonstick cooking spray (optional for easy release).
  • Stir together cake mix and melted butter until crumbly. Using a forks makes this easy.
  • Place apples in a microwave safe bowl with 1/4 cup of water. Heat in the microwave on high power for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the apples are just starting to get soft. (Length of time varies by microwave.) Drain the apples very well, then toss with cinnamon and sugar.
  • Press half the cake mix into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust. Spread the apples over the top of the crust.
  • Stir oats into the remaining cake mixture and sprinkle over the top of the apples.
  • Bake 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and bottom is cooked through. Cool completely before slicing. Serve with ice cream and caramel sauce.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

  • These bars are crumbly and are best served on a plate with a fork.
  • You can make your own quick oats from old fashioned by pulsing them in a food processor.
  • Store bars in refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 4.2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

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Last Updated on September 2, 2023



Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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5 Comments

  1. Everything u post looks delicious ,I can’t wait to make all of the recipes .I don’t know where to start . Thank you .

  2. These were pretty easy, I had to cook my apples for 3 1/2 minutes in the microwave and I added a bit more cinnamon, but these are delicious!!!!

  3. Hi Dorothy
    In the description, you mention adding an egg, together with the margarine, to the cake mix. However there is no mention of an egg in the actual recipe. Which is correct – egg or no egg?
    Thanks,
    Sue Berry