Chai Spiced Apple Butter Crumble Bars: Your Ultimate Vegan Fall Dessert & Snack
Get ready to fall in love with these truly exceptional Chai Spiced Apple Butter Crumble Bars! I first hinted at these delightful treats in my pumpkin hot chocolate post, where they subtly graced the background. While they caught your eye then, I’ve refined the recipe since, making them even more incredible and giving them a slightly different, more robust appearance. My goal was to achieve a perfect balance: a richer, more substantial oat base and an even more generous, luscious layer of apple butter. This meant rigorous testing and tasting to ensure every bite delivers that ideal harmony of textures and flavors before I could confidently share them with you. And believe me, the effort was absolutely worth it.
I must confess, capturing the essence of these bars required an abundance of photographs – far more than what you’ll find in this post. The sheer volume of pictures I took is a testament to just how much I adore these apple butter crumble bars! Every angle seemed to highlight their rustic charm and the promise of deliciousness. Eventually, I had to significantly pare down the selection, but each image here perfectly showcases their inviting qualities, from the golden-brown crumble to the peek of apple butter filling. These aren’t just any bars; they’re a true labor of love, designed to bring warmth and comfort to your kitchen.
The Irresistible Appeal of Chai Spiced Apple Butter Crumble Bars
What makes these crumble bars truly special is their multifaceted appeal. They strike a delightful balance between a dense, satisfying texture and a tender, crumbly crust, offering a comforting chew with every bite. The star, however, is undoubtedly the center: a perfectly creamy, sweet, and tangy apple butter layer that bursts with autumnal flavor. And here’s my secret weapon for elevating this classic treat: I infused the apple butter with aromatic chai spice. While a simple dash of plain cinnamon would still yield a wonderful result, and I encourage you to use what you love, there’s something magical about chai. As soon as the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, I invariably succumb to what I affectionately call “chai fever.” My daily routine transforms into drinking bowl-fulls of rich, fragrant chai tea – it’s a habit I simply cannot resist. This intense passion for chai naturally spilled over into my baking, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
Crafting the Perfect Chai Spiced Apple Butter
My enthusiasm for flavoring this apple butter with chai spice was boundless. I was fortunate enough to discover a vendor at our local farmers market who grinds his own spices and creates unique, custom spice blends. I had previously purchased some of his exquisite chai spice mix, and it was the obvious, inspired choice for my apple butter. This turned out to be an absolutely brilliant decision. The freshness and vibrant flavor of his blend were unparalleled, infusing the apple butter with an extraordinary depth that truly set it apart. If you’re using a commercially available chai spice blend, you might need to increase the quantity slightly to achieve a similar intensity of flavor, as freshness can make a significant difference. Don’t be afraid to taste and adjust until it’s just right for your palate.
Just take a moment to admire this incredible apple butter! Its smooth, luxurious texture is a testament to simple techniques and quality ingredients. What’s even more impressive is that I didn’t rely on any fancy kitchen gadgets like a high-powered food processor or a top-of-the-line blender. My trusty immersion blender was the hero here. It effortlessly transformed the cooked apples into this velvety perfection directly in the pot. Seriously, I can’t imagine my kitchen without that versatile tool. It’s a game-changer for anything from soups to sauces, and especially for making silky-smooth apple butter. If you don’t have one, it’s definitely an investment worth considering for its sheer convenience and efficiency.
Anyway, let’s get back to that wonderfully smooth and silky apple butter. It’s not just beautiful to look at; it is incredibly delicious! I constantly find myself having to exercise restraint to avoid sneaking spoonfuls directly from the fridge. The brilliant idea to cook this apple butter in a crockpot came from Angela of Oh She Glows. This method is sheer genius, as it significantly reduces the hands-on effort typically associated with making apple butter. The slow, gentle cooking coaxes out the apples’ natural sweetness and complexity, resulting in a rich, deeply flavored spread with minimal fuss. I’ll certainly be using this method again very soon!
Chai Spiced Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 6 lbs mixed apples cored with skin on
- 1-2 tsp chai spice
- 2 tbsp real maple syrup optional, more if needed
Instructions
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Core the apples and add them to the crockpot. Cook on high for at least 4 hours, or until the apples are falling apart, stirring occasionally.
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Give the apples a good stir to break them up. Using a blender or food processor, transfer the mixture(in batches if needed) and blend until completely smooth before returning it to the crockpot. Using an immersion blender just blend the apples(skin and all) in the crockpot until completely smooth.
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Add the chai spice(or just cinnamon to taste). Continue to cook the apple butter on high in the crockpot without a lid until it reaches the desired consistency, about an hour, depending on the type of apples used. Stir occasionally so that the bottom doesn’t scorch.
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Once the apple butter has reached the desired consistency, taste and add maple syrup as needed.
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Cool and store in a sealed container in the fridge.
Making your own apple butter, especially with a slow cooker, is a rewarding experience. It’s a fantastic way to utilize a bounty of fresh apples, filling your home with an aroma that signals the start of cozy season. The rich, concentrated flavor of homemade apple butter truly shines in these bars, far surpassing any store-bought alternative. The minimal prep time and hands-off cooking make it a perfect weekend project. And now, armed with this amazing chai spiced apple butter, we’re ready for the next delightful step: transforming it into the ultimate crumble bars!
Baking the Best Vegan Apple Crumble Bars
These vegan apple crumble bars are truly a highlight of my baking repertoire. They encapsulate the cozy essence of fall in every bite, offering a wholesome, satisfying treat that’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a light dessert. The “crumble” part refers to both the bottom crust and the topping, which sandwich a generous layer of that delectable chai spiced apple butter. The use of whole grain ingredients ensures they’re not only delicious but also more nourishing than your average baked good. Let’s dive into creating these wonderful bars.
Chai Spiced Apple Butter Crumble Bars
Ingredients
- 1 C +2 tbsp old fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 C white whole wheat flour
- 1/3 C walnuts
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon or chai spice
- 1/4 C coconut oil melted
- 1/4 C almond milk plus 1 tbsp extra milk if needed
- 1/3 C coconut sugar or sucanat
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 C apple butter
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare an 8×8 pan by lining with parchment paper(so that the bars can be lifted out) sprayed or brushed lightly with oil. Set aside
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In a small bowl combine the oats, flour, walnuts, baking soda and baking powder, sea salt and cinnamon.
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In a larger bowl, stir together the oil, milk, sugar and vanilla until combined.
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Add the dry ingredients to the oil and milk mixture. Stir well until completely incorporated.
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Pour slightly more than half of the batter into the prepared 8×8 pan. Spread out so that the mixture covers the bottom of the pan.
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Place pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes until partially cooked.
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Remove from the oven, spread the apple butter evenly almost to the edges of the pan. Using a spoon, drop small amounts of the remaining batter over the top of the apple butter as evenly as possible.
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Return to the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until golden.
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Remove from the oven and cool 15 minutes before lifting the edges of the parchment paper to remove the bars from the baking dish. Place the bars(and the paper) directly on a wire rack and cool completely before cutting and serving.
Notes
Brown sugar can also be subbed for the coconut sugar.
Why These Whole Grain Vegan Bars are a Must-Try
Beyond their incredible flavor, these Chai Spiced Apple Butter Crumble Bars offer numerous benefits that make them a pantry staple. First and foremost, they are **whole grain**, thanks to the inclusion of old-fashioned rolled oats and white whole wheat flour. This means you’re getting more fiber and nutrients compared to bars made with refined flours, contributing to a feeling of sustained energy and satisfaction. The combination provides a wholesome base without sacrificing taste or texture.
Furthermore, these bars are **vegan**, making them suitable for those following a plant-based diet or anyone looking for delicious dairy-free and egg-free options. Coconut oil provides a rich, buttery flavor and texture, while almond milk keeps the batter moist and tender. For sweetness, coconut sugar is a less refined alternative to granulated sugar, offering a subtle caramel note. These thoughtful ingredient choices ensure everyone can enjoy these delightful bars.
Another fantastic feature is their **freezer-friendliness**. Making a batch of these and storing them in the freezer means you always have a wholesome snack or a quick breakfast option readily available. Simply grab one, let it thaw for a bit, or warm it gently, and you’re good to go. This makes them perfect for meal prep and ensures you’re never far from a delicious, homemade treat.
These bars are incredibly versatile. They are substantial enough to serve as a satisfying **breakfast**, offering a wholesome start to your day. They also make an excellent **snack** to combat those afternoon slumps, providing a burst of energy and flavor. And let’s not forget their potential as a comforting **dessert**, perhaps served warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream. No matter the occasion, these Chai Spiced Apple Butter Crumble Bars are bound to become a beloved favorite in your home. Enjoy every crumbly, apple-butter-filled bite!