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Finished pumpkin apple crumble bars on parchment paper.

Fall treats recipes, pumpkin apple crumble bars step by step

Cozy pumpkin apple crumble bars with warm spices and an oat streusel topping. A simple fall dessert that slices clean and travels well.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 bars
Calories 260 kcal

Equipment

  • 8 by 8 inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls, 2
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Chef knife and cutting board
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredient Group, Pumpkin apple filling
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 medium apples, peeled and diced, about 2 cups
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 third cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 and a half teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • one quarter teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Ingredient Group, Crumble base and topping
  • 1 and a half cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • one half cup brown sugar
  • one half teaspoon baking powder
  • one half teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • one half teaspoon salt
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • Ingredient Group, Optional add ins
  • one half cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • one third cup dried cranberries

Instructions
 

  • Prep the pan and oven Heat oven to 350 F. Line an 8 by 8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for lifting. Lightly grease the paper.
  • Mix the crumble In a large bowl, stir oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in melted butter and mix until crumbly and it holds together when pressed.
  • Press the crust Press about two thirds of the crumble firmly into the bottom of the pan to form an even crust layer.
  • Make the pumpkin apple filling In a second bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, egg, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and cornstarch until smooth. Fold in diced apples and lemon juice.
  • Assemble Spread the filling evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining crumble on top. Add nuts or dried cranberries if using.
  • Bake Bake 45 to 55 minutes until the top is golden and the center looks set. The edges should be bubbling lightly.
  • Cool and slice Cool in the pan at least 1 hour. For cleaner slices, chill 30 minutes more, then lift out and cut into 12 bars.

Notes

Apple choice matters. Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith so the bars hold their shape.
For gluten free, use certified gluten free oats and a gluten free flour blend.
For dairy free, use melted coconut oil or plant based butter.
Storage, keep in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days.
Freezing, freeze sliced bars up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Keyword cinnamon oat crumble, easy fall baking, fall dessert bars, fall treats recipes, make ahead dessert, pumpkin apple bars, pumpkin apple crumble bars