Are you craving a comforting, homemade dessert that's both delicious and surprisingly simple to make? Look no further! This old-fashioned apple squares recipe is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen. These delightful squares are bursting with the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon and apples, encased in a buttery, crumbly crust. They're ideal for a casual weeknight treat, a potluck contribution, or even a special occasion dessert. Get ready to experience the magic of homemade baking with this easy recipe!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
For the Apple Filling:
- 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
- Press into pan: Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Make sure it's evenly distributed.
Making the Apple Filling:
- Combine ingredients: In a separate bowl, gently toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
- Spread on crust: Evenly spread the apple mixture over the crust in the baking pan.
Completing the Squares:
- Add top crust: Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the apple filling.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Cool and cut: Let the apple squares cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This allows the filling to set and prevents them from crumbling.
Tips for the Best Apple Squares:
- Use a mix of apples: Combining tart and sweet apples will give you the best flavor balance.
- Don't overmix the crust: Overmixing will result in a tough crust.
- Cool completely: Patience is key! Letting the squares cool completely before cutting is essential for preventing a messy dessert.
- Make ahead: These apple squares can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Incorporate chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds into the crust or apple filling for added crunch and flavor.
- Spice it up: Experiment with different spices like ginger, cardamom, or allspice.
- Use different fruit: Try substituting other fruits like pears, cranberries, or blueberries.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Fat: Approximately 12-15g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 35-40g
- Sugar: Approximately 20-25g
- Protein: Approximately 3-4g
This recipe provides a delicious and healthy meal option as part of a balanced diet. Enjoy these simple, delicious, and homemade apple squares! They’re perfect for satisfying any sweet craving and are sure to become a family favorite. This quick dinner idea is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a delightful twist on classic homemade cooking.