Description

These Apple Snickerdoodle Bars are a delightful twist on the classic snickerdoodle cookie, incorporating tender diced apples and warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices. Perfectly soft and chewy with a cinnamon sugar topping, these bars make an ideal treat for dessert or an afternoon snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

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

Dry Ingredients

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

Additional Ingredients

1 medium apple, peeled and finely diced
2 tbsp (25g) granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
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.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until well combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
Fold in Apples: Gently fold the finely diced peeled apple into the batter until evenly distributed.
Prepare Batter: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared 8×8-inch pan, smoothing the top.
Add Topping: Mix the 2 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter for a sweet, crunchy topping.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares and serving.

Notes

Ensure the apple is finely diced so it distributes evenly through the batter and cooks well.
For extra flavor, use a tart apple variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
You can substitute the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour if needed, adjusting the baking time slightly.
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
To keep bars extra moist, warm slightly before serving.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar (approximately 2x2 inch square)
Calories: 210 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 90 mg
Fat: 9 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 1.5 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg

Keywords: apple snickerdoodle bars, cinnamon bars, apple dessert bars, snickerdoodle recipe, easy baked bars, fall dessert