Description

These Apple Snickerdoodle Bars combine the classic cinnamon-sugar flavors of snickerdoodles with tender chunks of fresh apple, baked into moist, chewy bars perfect for dessert or a sweet snack. With a buttery base spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping, they offer the nostalgic taste of fall in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugars, mixing until well combined and smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredient mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix as this can make the bars tough.
Fold in Apples: Gently fold the finely diced peeled apple into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout.
Spread Batter in Pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even layer.
Add Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, mix the topping granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the top of the batter to create a sweet, crunchy topping.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares and serving.

Notes

Use a tart apple like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
If you prefer a softer topping, reduce the cinnamon sugar topping or sprinkle before baking less sugar.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, for the best texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 60g)
Calories: 190 kcal
Sugar: 17 g
Sodium: 75 mg
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 27 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg

Keywords: apple snickerdoodle bars, apple cinnamon bars, snickerdoodle dessert, apple dessert bars, cinnamon sugar bars