If you frequent my blog, you may know that I am smitten with Autumn: the aromas, the clothing and most importantly the crisp, cool air. When it comes to Fall baking I am all about apples, Honey Crisp apples to be precise. If you have never experienced the deliciousness of this type of apple, pick some up asap!
Here is a little 411 on Honey Crisp Apples. According to Wikipedia, they were developed at the University of Minnesota in 1974 and are a hybrid of Macoun and Honeygold apples. These apples are only available for a limited time in my area, so plan on seeing more recipes using them in coming weeks!
For this dessert, I slightly adapted a recipe for apple squares from allrecipes. I used this base for my Caramel Apple Squares from last Fall and the results were stellar! This time instead of the caramel topping, I drizzled them with a cream cheese glaze. However, they are positively scrumptious served as-is!
Have a delectable day and thanks so much for stopping by!
Apple Bars
adapted from allrecipes
Ingredients
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped apple
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Method
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×9 inch pan. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of white sugar with a wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture until just combined, stir in the apples and pecans. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. In a cup or small bowl, stir together the remaining cinnamon and sugar; sprinkle over the top of the bars.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in preheated oven; finished bars should spring back when lightly touched. Cool in the pan, and cut into squares.
Cream Cheese Glaze
Ingredients
1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk
Method
Mix the cream cheese with the butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a bowl. Heat in a microwave for 15 seconds. Drizzle spoonfuls over the cooled bars. Note: I cut my bars before drizzling them with glaze.
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Oooh I like these! Yum!
I can't wait to make these. Great fall treat!
Although I'm clinging on to summer, these bars are a great way to welcome the fall.
Cream cheese glaze? Yum, yum, yum!
Looks fantastic!
Mmmm, nothing says fall like apple desserts. These bars look soooo yummy!!
My one twin would be gaga over these as he's fiend for apple-y desserts.
~ingrid
Mmm, they looks delicious! I can't wait to try them! Unfortunately our oven is broken right now, so these will have to wait.
Blessings!
~Miss Rachel~
Yum! Honeycrisp apples are my absolute favorite! I was so excited when I walked into the produce store last week and they were sitting front and center! I'll have to try these bars sometime soon.
Oh my….I just need to keep following your blog for the best ever recipes. I can tell we have very similar tastes and you know what?…..I am 'smitten with fall' too. Grin. Happy Wednesday
Apples just went on sale and I've been looking all over for a good recipe. Found it!
looks delish delish!
am printing this one out. thanks!
oooooooooooooh. I have this in the oven and it smells so wonderful. It is a rainy evening but inside it smells of sunshiny fall weather!!!!
A beautiful way to welcome fall Jamie…awesome goodness here! I love these apple bars!
I starred this recipe in my Google reader just from seeing the title of it! Apple bars and cream cheese? Instant favourite! I will be making this next week as my treat for the week and I'm looking forward to it.
Those look fantastic! I think I'll have to add you to my blogroll. Yum!
Made it…as I have been telling you…grin….and it was superb! Love your style gal…you have great recipes that don't disappoint. Anyway…I posted it's success on today's post….if you want to come on by.!
Honeycrisps are my favorites, but I've never baked with them. Tskk! Thanks for the heads up and the recipe to get me going!
I love honey crisp apples, too, but where I live, they are SO EXPENSIVE that when I buy them, I usually just eat them straight. Plus, everyone loves them so much at my house, they don't sit around long enough to make it into a pie.
my, oh my. am going to attempt making those.
thank you.
Lovely! Fall is about to hit Los Angeles…with 90 degree temps!
At least I can "eat" fall! 
A friend of mine just brought me a huge bag of apples and I plan on using some of them to try this recipe! Thank you!
These look amazing! Perfect for the fall that is on its way!
The recipe sounds wonderful and this photo is beautiful- as always!
Very nice!!! Thanks for the recipe.
These look absolutely delicious. I have to try the recipe. Love apples cooked.
I just made these. I doubled the batch and cooked in 2 9×9 pans. I doubled everything except for the pecans. Instead I did 1/2 cup pecans and 1/2 cinnamon chips. They taste AMAZING! Although doubling the cream cheese glaze made way too much. Doing the original amount would be just fine. Thank you for this wonderful recipe! You are my go-to resource for scrumptious recipes.