Do you like apple crumble? How about pecan pie? Always on the go and eating stuff “out of hand” instead of with a plate and fork? Then these Apple Pecan Crumble Bars are the thing for you! Cookie-sized crumble bars with apple fruit preserves and chopped pecans. It’s all of you autumn snacking needs rolled into one!
Ingredients
1 cup plus 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled to just warm
2 large egg yolks
i teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups plus 3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups Apple jelly, jam or “apple butter”*
1 cup chopped pecans
Directions
Preheat oven to 325F. Create a foil or parchment sling for your 9 x 13-inch baking dish or spray generously with baking spray.
In a medium bowl, mix together butter, vanilla, sugar, salt, cinnamon and egg yolks with a spoon until smooth. Add in the flour and mix until just combined. Remove 2 cups of the crust mixture and press into the lined pan. Set the unused portion of the crust aside covered with plastic wrap, but not in the refrigerator. Place the pan in the freezer for 15 minutes or so; the chilling of the crust prevents it from expanding and rising too much during baking.
Remove the crust from the freezer and place in the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sides are lightly browned. Then remove from the oven, and increase oven temperature to 350F. Spread the apple jam over the whole surface and sprinkle the leftover crust mixture and chopped pecans on top. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the streusel is lightly browned.
Allow the pan to cool completely before taking the bars out of the pan. Remove the bars by lifting out with the sling and cut.
* It is a seasonable product and they only have it in the early autumn, but Trader Joes sells a great Apple Cider Fruit Spread that is just perfect for this recipe.
