Paleo Apple Crumble Bar

Paleo, Vegan

Crust/crumble

• 3/4 cup smooth almond butter (you can make your own if you’re adventurous!)

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

• 3 Tbsp coconut oil (reduce to 2 Tbsp if you want lower fat)

• 1 cup blanched almond flour

• 1/4 cup coconut flour

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1.5 tsp cinnamon

Filling

• 3 pink lady or other crisp tart sweet apples peeled and chopped (1/4 inch pieces)

• 1/3 cup water

• 2 tsp lemon juice

• 3 Tbsp coconut sugar

• 3 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 2 tsp tapioca or arrowroot starch

• 1/8 tsp fine grain sea salt

• ½ tsp xanthan gum (if you want it to be thicker)

Caramel Sauce (optional)

• 2/3 cup full fat coconut milk (many recipes call for coconut cream, but I find that unnecessary)

• 1/3 cup coconut sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/8 tsp salt

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8” baking dish with parchment paper. No need to grease, there is enough oil in the dough, and it won’t stick

2. Filling: Combine the water, lemon, and apples in a sauce pan. Bring it to a boil and cover until the apples are somewhat soft. Add the dry ingredients until the mixture is sticky and thick! Set aside to cool slightly.

3. Crust/Crumble: I used a food processor because I made my own almond butter as well. However, you can use a whisk if that’s most convenient! Whisk the almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and coconut oil until smooth. Then add the remaining ingredients until a thick dough is formed. 

4. Take out ¼ of the dough (you can eyeball it, but I’m crazy and used a scale). Take that ¼ and stick it in the fridge!

5. Line the pan evenly with the remaining ¾ of the dough. Bake the crust for 7 minutes then remove from the oven and add the apple mixture on top of this crust. Break the refrigerated dough up with your fingers and evenly spread on top. Bake for an additional 25 minutes until the top is golden brown. 

6. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely and cut into squares. 

7. Caramel Sauce: Combine all the ingredients in a small sauce pan on medium heat. Let it boil. Once it begins to boil, turn it to low/simmer and allow it to cook until the mixture is thick (~10-15 minutes). Allow the mixture to cool. Remember as it cools, it will get slightly thicker.

Assembly:

Take the cut pieces and put them on a plate. If you’re feeling fun and ~wild~ add a scoop of ice cream, and top with caramel sauce!!! You can even warm up the apple bar in the microwave first… YUMMM!!! <3