One of the best things about summer is, of course, the variety of summer fruits. Whether you are talking berries, stone fruits, or melons. And, for a person like me who loves to bake fruit desserts, it’s party time. My mind is constantly working on what next to bake with these beauties. There is so much you can do with apricots from desserts to savory dishes. For example, you can add some apricot puree to vanilla ice cream, or chopped apricot to your salad or grains such as apricot quinoa salad with a honey sauce with fresh herbs. And, you can add apricot to your meat such as apricot chicken, or grilled serve it with grilled chicken breast or pork chops. Whether you call these bars, crumble slices, or squares, they are really simple and easy to make. In fact, often I get my Rhea to prepare the crumble topping with her hands. And, she finds it so fascinating to just squish the flour, butter, and sugar.
Why make these bars?
Fresh, Seasonal Flavor: Homemade apricot crumble bars take advantage of fresh, in-season apricots, providing a burst of juicy, natural sweetness that’s far superior to store-bought versions. Customization: Making them at home allows you to customize the recipe to your taste preferences, such as adjusting the sweetness, adding your favorite spices, or incorporating nuts for extra crunch. Quality Ingredients: You can ensure the use of high-quality, wholesome ingredients, avoiding preservatives and artificial flavors often found in commercial products. Healthier Option: Homemade bars can be made healthier by using whole grain flours, reducing sugar, and adding nutritious ingredients like oats and chia seeds, making them a guilt-free treat. Versatility: These bars are incredibly versatile, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. They can be served warm with ice cream, cold with yogurt, or simply enjoyed on their own. Homemade Comfort: The process of baking at home fills your kitchen with delightful aromas and provides a sense of accomplishment and comfort, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the finished bars.
Ingredients and substitutes
Apricots – The star of the show. And yet, the apricot season, unfortunately, is really short. Today, I am using fresh apricots, but canned or frozen work just as well.And, if you are using frozen apricots, you can keep the amount of sugar the same. However, if you use sweet canned apricots, then I suggest reducing the sugar by half. In fact, the best practice is to taste and see how sweet they are. And, if you are not sure, then half the amount of sugar would work great as a guide. White granulated sugar – I like my crumble topping to be a lighter color. So, I prefer to use white sugar. And yet, you can easily substitute with light or brown sugar, using the same quantity. Also, take note that brown sugar contains molasses, so it will influence the taste and flavor. Unsalted Butter – I always use unsalted because I like to control the amount of salt I use. And, if you use salted butter that’s fine, just omit salt in the recipe. Also, margarine or veg shortening works as well. And yet, they both will affect the texture of the crumble; margarine has a bit more liquid, so you may need to use a tad less. And, veg shorting will make the crumble topping more crispy. Spice mix – There is so much flavor you can add to this, and yet, simple vanilla on its own works great. In winter, I often use pumpkin spice or gingerbread spice in my apricot squares. And, cinnamon is another spice that also does great here. A bit non-traditional, but a pinch of garam masala in winter works wonderfully too.
Step-by-step: Easy apricot crumble bars
Prep: Preheat oven to 375 °F 190 °C / Gas Mark 5. Line an 8 x 8 square cake pan with parchment paper.
Dough mix – Add flour, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, spice mix, and cold cubed butter to a food processor. Pulse a few times until crumbly, but not too much. Pour the crumble into two bowls – one for the base and one for the top. Keep the bowl for the crumble topping in the fridge to stay cold. Base – Add the 2 tbsp of milk to the crumble for the base and combine well. Then, pour the mixture into the baking pan. Use the back of a spoon to press it down firmly. Bake the base for 10 minutes until lightly golden but not cooked through. Cool for 5 minutes.
Filling: In a large bowl toss the apricot slices with the sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch until well coated. Set aside. Assemble: Pour the filling over the partially baked base and spread evenly. Generously sprinkle the crumble topping mixture all over the apricot filling.
Bake the Bars: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the lemon bars cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. Serve and Enjoy: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares. Serve and enjoy these delicious lemon bars as a refreshing treat!
Frequently asked questions
More creative ways to serve crumble bar
Ice Cream Crumble Bars: Serve crumble bars alongside a scoop of your favorite ice cream flavor. The contrast between the warm crumble bar and the cold ice cream creates a delightful combination of textures and temperatures. Crumble Bar Parfait: Layer crumbled pieces of crumble bars with layers of yogurt or whipped cream in a glass or jar. Add fresh berries or sliced fruits between the layers for freshness and color. Repeat the layers and top with a final sprinkle of apricot crumble bar crumbs for a visually appealing and delicious dessert. Enjoy your parfait! Crumble Bar Cheesecake Bars: Use crumble bars as the base for a creamy cheesecake layer. Press the apricot crumble bar mixture into the bottom of a baking dish, then pour a cheesecake batter on top. Bake until set, and once cooled, cut into bars. The crumble bar base adds a delightful texture and flavor to the classic cheesecake. Crumble Bar Trifle: Layer crumbled pieces of apricot crumble bars with creamy custard or pudding and fresh fruits in a trifle dish. Repeat the layers and top with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crumble bar crumbs for an elegant and decadent dessert. Apricot Crumble Bar Milkshake: Blend crumble bars with milk, ice cream, and a dash of vanilla extract to create a rich and indulgent milkshake. Top it with whipped cream and an additional crumble bar crumble for added crunch. Apricot Crumble Bar Yogurt Parfait: Layer crumbled pieces of crumble bars with yogurt and your choice of fruits, nuts, or granola in a glass or jar. Repeat the layers and top with a final sprinkle of crumble bar crumbs for a delicious and satisfying breakfast or snack. Or Apricot Crumble Bar Ice Cream Sandwiches: Sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two crumble bar pieces to create a scrumptious ice cream sandwich. You can even roll the edges in crushed nuts, sprinkles, or chocolate chips for added decoration and texture. Crumble Bar Apricot Crisp: Use crumble bar crumbs as the topping for an apricot crisp. Layer sliced apricots in a baking dish, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, then top with a generous layer of crumble bar crumbs. Bake until the apples are tender and the topping is golden and crispy.
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