These are the first kind of crumb bars I have ever tried to make and I think it is safe to say I will be making more. The bars have a shortbread-like base with more of a crumble top. Now that sounds complicated, but the topping is just the base with some oats thrown in. One bowl baby! Before I made these bars I though they would be way too complicated for a tray bake. I am really glad I made these!You could use pretty much anything for the fruit filling. I used apples this time because I had some that were looking a little sad but I think plumbs, rhubarb, or any sort of berry would be great as well. If you wanted to serve these bars as more of a formal desert, just top them warm with a ball of vanilla ice cream or custard on top.
Makes 24 rectangular bars
- 1 + 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup large flake oats
- 4 cups apple chunks (about 6 apples)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tsp cornstarch
- Preheat your oven to 350F (180C).
- Line a 9″x13″ baking tray with parchment paper and generously grease the sides with butter.
- Peel the apples and cut into chunks.
- Top the apples with 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch and gently stir together.
- In a large bowl (one that is big enough to get your hands into), measure out the remaining cup sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Give everything a good stir.
- Cut the cold butter into pieces and add to the flour mixture.
- Use a pastry cutter to incorporate the butter a little bit into the flour.
- Crack in the two eggs.
- Cut the eggs and butter into the flour using the pastry cutter until only pea sized bits of butter remain and all the wet egg has been worked in.
- Pat half the mixture into the greased baking tray.
- Top with the fruit.
- Mix the oats into the remaining half of the dough using your hands. This will make a nice crumbly topping.
- Sprinkle the topping over the fruit.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until the top has lightly browned.
- Leave to cool completely before cutting.
- Enjoy