Apples and spice make sweet bars that are perfect in fall or any time of year. These Apple Bars have a base and topping made with Cheerios.
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How do you like them apples? Well, I like them just about every way imaginable, whether in a pie, in a cider donut, or fresh off the tree. And if you love apples this much too, you're really gonna enjoy this sweet apple treat!
Easy Apple Bars have a tender base made with Cheerios cereal, and that base is topped with a thick, sweet, and spiced layer of apples.
New England is apples and apples are New England
Did you know that there are over 200 different kinds of apples grown in New England? Apple picking is one of my favorite fall things to do, as it has been for generations of Northeasterners. I went apple picking growing up in southern Vermont. My husband and I took our kids apple picking in northern Vermont all while they were growing up. And most recently we went apple picking in Stow, Massachusetts with our infant grandson in tow!
There's just nothing like tasting the crisp, sweet-tart flesh of just-picked apples. Sure, you might be hauling a heavy tote of the beauties around the orchard with you, stepping on apple mush in the grass, and often getting rained on, but hey—it's all part of the experience!
Apple season is the official kick-off to the cooler weather and color of fall. Best of all, having all those apples on hand means it's the kick-off to baking season, too! Apple cakes, applesauce, apple pies of course—and these yummy apple dessert bars.
Donuts!
Visiting apple orchards means apple cider donuts, too!
Why you'll love this recipe
Old-fashioned apple squares are a great way to use freshly picked apples if you happen to be in the middle of apple season. And if it's not apple picking season, that's okay—apples are available year-round, and apple bars are delicious year-round.
The base is a simple mixture of flour, sugar, and Cheerios cereal. Those O's give the base some texture, and a little crunch to the top of the bars, too. The base holds a thick layer of sweetened, spiced apples.
Slice up the cooked cinnamon apple bars and enjoy them as a mid-afternoon treat with a cup of coffee or tea! They're also nice as an after-school snack or as a casual dessert after supper.
🔪 How to make Apple Bars with Cheerios
Ingredients:
- Apples: I like to use McIntosh apples in this recipe, but you can use other varieties too. Choose a type that's well-suited to baking, such as Golden Delicious or the more tart Granny Smith.
- Cheerios: Regular Cheerios give structure and texture to the base and are used in the topping on the bars, too.
- Brown sugar: It adds such incredible flavor to this entire recipe, especially in the apple filling where it cooks and caramelizes with the apples.
- Boiled apple cider: I always have a bottle of this boiled cider on hand—it amps up apple flavor in everything from pies to dressings. You can also use regular apple cider.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works fine here—I use King Arthur Flour brand.
- Baking soda: Just a little baking soda helps to lighten the base of these apple bars.
- Spices: Cinnamon is the big one here, but a little nutmeg and cloves in the mix contribute warm flavor, too.
- Butter: Melted butter helps bring the base together. Use unsalted, and a good brand such as Cabot.
Cook the apples
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Cook sliced apples with cider, brown sugar, and spices in a pan on the stove, until they become a thick sauce.
Bake the base
Combine the flour, butter, and Cheerios and press the mixture into a prepared pan. Bake it until browned.
Layer in the apple
Spread the cooked apple filling over the base, and sprinkle Cheerios over the top. Bake again until the top is golden brown. Let the bars cool completely. Then slice them up and serve.
FAQs
Yes: because the bars are made with fruit, it's best to store them in the refrigerator to make them last and keep them tasting their best.
Tips for making Apple Bars:
- Try other flavors of Cheerios in these bars if you'd like, such as seasonal Pumpkin Spice, Apple-Cinnamon, Honey Nut, Maple, Vanilla Spice, or Frosted.
- Press the base mixture very firmly into the pan, so that it holds together well once it's baked.
Whether you pick some apples yourself (which I highly recommend, because it's fun and apple orchards have lots of yummy baked goodies and cider) or grab your apples at the store, I know you're going to love turning them into homey, sweet Apple Bars.
The Apple Bars recipe with Cheerios is below. Here are more apple dessert recipes to try!
💬 Did you make and devour this recipe? Leave a comment below.
📖 Recipe
Apple Bars with Cheerios
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Ingredients
Apple filling:
- 6 medium apples (I use McIntosh apples that weigh about 5 ounces each)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup Boiled Apple Cider (or regular apple cider)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Baked base:
- 3 cups Cheerios cereal, divided
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, unbleached
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (If using Apple-Cinnamon or Pumpkin Spice Cheerios, you can omit this.)
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup melted butter, unsalted
Instructions
Cook the apples:
- Peel and core the apples, then cut them into chunks.
- Combine the chopped apples with the ½ cup of brown sugar, boiled cider, nutmeg, ground cloves, and cinnamon in a large saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer the apples, stirring them often, for about 13 minutes, until they're soft and the mixture is very thick.
- Remove the pan from the heat and hold it aside.
Prepare and bake the base mixture:
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray the paper with nonstick cooking spray.
- Stir together 2½ cups of the Cheerios, the flour, ½ cup of brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Pour in the melted butter and mix until the ingredients are moistened and thoroughly combined.
- Set aside ½ cup of the mixture.
- Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Press this mixture down firmly and evenly.
- Bake the base for 18 minutes until the crust is lightly browned. Remove the pan from the oven.
Add the topping and bake again:
- Spread the apple mixture evenly over the top of the crust.
- Sprinkle the base mixture you set aside over the apple layer. Then, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of Cheerios over the top as well. Lightly press these toppings into the apple layer.
- Return the pan to oven. Bake for an additional 30 minutes, until the top is lightly browned. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting.
Serve:
- Once the bars are completely cool, lift them from the pan by pulling up the edges of the parchment paper. Use a sharp knife to cut them into 9 bars.
How to store apple bars:
- Transfer the apple bars to a plate or storage container and cover them tightly. Store the bars in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Notes
- Try other flavors of Cheerios in these bars if you'd like, such as seasonal Pumpkin Spice, Apple-Cinnamon, Honey Nut, Maple, Vanilla Spice, or Frosted.
- Press the base mixture very firmly into the pan, so that it holds together well once it's baked.
Nutrition
Scott says
I had a hard time with the base falling apart too easily even though I compressed it and bake it first as instructed. Also, I think moisture from the apple filling causes the topping to become stale tasting by next day.
Nancy Mock says
Hi Scott, I'm sorry to hear that the apple bars didn't turn out well for you. After making a test batch, I think it's important to press the base mixture very firmly in the pan so that it stays intact once baked. Also, the bars should be allowed to cool completely before slicing, otherwise they may fall apart. Storing the apple bars in the fridge will keep them fresh tasting.
I very much appreciate you letting me know your experience so that I could update the recipe to stress these points. I hope you'll give the bars another try someday!
Ben Grounds says
Great article
Tracy | Baking Mischief says
These look amazing. I have total heart eyes on my face right now over that thick apple layer. Wish I had a box of cheerios in my cupboard so I could make a batch of these right this second!!
Heidi says
These look good, Nancy! I'll have to try them!