Apple Snickerdoodle Bars Recipe
Delightfully soft and chewy Apple Snickerdoodle Bars combine warm cinnamon and nutmeg-spiced batter with tender bits of apple, topped with a classic cinnamon sugar mixture. Perfect for a cozy dessert or an afternoon treat, these bars bake to golden perfection in just under 30 minutes.
- Author: Cara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Bar Batter
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 medium apple, peeled and finely diced
Topping
- 2 tbsp (25g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease removal.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, which helps incorporate air for a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, ensuring the batter is smooth and cohesive.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter which can yield dense bars.
- Fold in Diced Apple: Carefully fold in the peeled and finely diced apple pieces to distribute fruit evenly throughout the batter, adding bursts of juicy flavor.
- Spread Batter: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface for uniform baking.
- Prepare and Sprinkle Topping: Mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the topping, then evenly sprinkle it over the batter to create a sweet, spiced crust.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating that it is fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into 9 servings to ensure clean slices and optimal texture.
Notes
- Use a tart apple like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature to easily cream with sugars.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the bars tender.
- Cooling the bars fully before cutting helps maintain their structure.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the dry ingredients.
Keywords: apple snickerdoodle bars, cinnamon apple bars, easy apple dessert, baked apple bars, cinnamon sugar bars