The Warm Embrace of Autumn in a Bar
Connect with the feeling of crisp autumn days, cozy kitchens, and the irresistible aroma of baking. Evoke nostalgia for homemade treats and shared moments. Briefly hint at the delightful combination of flavors in the Maple Pecan Apple Bars.
Why You’ll Love These Maple Pecan Apple Bars
Irresistible Flavors & Textures
These bars have sweet and earthy maple, crunchy pecans, and tender, spiced apples. They have a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. You will love the delightful crumbly texture of the bar.
Easy to Make, Impressive to Share
The recipe is simple. All skill levels can make them. They are excellent for entertaining, potlucks, or gifting.
A Versatile Seasonal Treat
Serve them for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack. They are great for fall holidays and gatherings.
Ingredients of Maple Pecan Apple Bars
For the Delicious Apple Filling
Use 4-5 medium apples. Good varieties are Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji.
You need 1/4 cup pure maple syrup.
Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
Use 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
Have 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice.
For the Crumbly Pecan Topping & Base
You need 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour.
Use 1/2 cup granulated sugar.
Add 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar.
You need 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats.
Use 1 cup chopped pecans.
You need 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into small pieces.
Add 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Pantry Staples
You will need 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
You will need 1 teaspoon baking powder.
How to make Maple Pecan Apple Bars
Directions of Maple Pecan Apple Bars
Preparing Your Apples
- Peel, core, and dice the apples into small, uniform pieces.
- In a large bowl, toss the diced apples with maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Set aside.
Crafting the Crumb Topping and Base
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, rolled oats, and salt.
- Add the cold butter pieces to the dry ingredients.
- Cut the butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender, two forks, or your fingertips. Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
- Stir in the chopped pecans.
- Press about two-thirds of this crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan. This forms the base.
Assembling Your Maple Pecan Apple Bars
- Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the pressed crumb base in the pan.
- Sprinkle the remaining one-third of the crumb mixture evenly over the apple layer.
Baking to Golden Perfection
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly and tender.
Cooling for the Best Results
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing. This is very important. Cooling keeps the bars clean and the filling set.
How to serve Maple Pecan Apple Bars
Delightful Accompaniments
Serve with vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of extra maple syrup. They are also great with a warm cup of coffee or cider.
How to store Maple Pecan Apple Bars
Storage Tips
Store the bars at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerate them for up to one week.
For longer storage, freeze the bars in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Tips to make Maple Pecan Apple Bars
Choosing the Right Apples
Use a mix of sweet and tart apples. This gives a better flavor.
Don’t Overmix the Crumb Mixture
Do not overmix. Overmixing makes a tough crust. You want a tender one.
Cooling is Crucial!
Be patient. Cool completely for clean, beautiful bars.
Variation
Creative Twists for Your Maple Pecan Apple Bars
Nut Variations: Use walnuts or almonds instead of pecans.
Spice It Up: Add a touch of ginger or allspice.
Caramel Drizzle: Add a decadent caramel drizzle.
Chocolate Chips: Add chocolate chips for a sweet surprise.
FAQs
Can I make these Maple Pecan Apple Bars ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the bars ahead of time. They stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week. They are great for preparing in advance.
My Maple Pecan Apple Bars are too soft / too crumbly. What went wrong?
If too soft, they might need more baking time. If too crumbly, the butter might not have been cut in enough, or you might have overmixed. Make sure the butter is cold and mix until it looks like coarse crumbs.
What kind of maple syrup should I use for Maple Pecan Apple Bars?
Always use pure maple syrup. It has the best flavor. Do not use artificial versions.
Classic Maple Pecan Apple Bars
Equipment
- Oven
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Large bowls
- Knives
- Cutting board
- Pastry blender or forks
- Wire rack
Ingredients
For the Delicious Apple Filling:
- 4-5 medium apples Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji recommended
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
For the Crumbly Pecan Topping & Base:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup cold butter 1 stick, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Pantry Staples:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease or line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Peel, core, and dice the apples into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, toss diced apples with maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice; set aside.
- In another large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, rolled oats, and salt.
- Add cold butter pieces to the dry ingredients.
- Cut the butter into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form with pea-sized butter pieces.
- Stir in the chopped pecans.
- Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan to form the base.
- Spread the apple filling evenly over the crumb base.
- Sprinkle the remaining one-third of the crumb mixture over the apple layer.
Baking & Cooling
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly and tender.
- Cool the bars completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing.