German Spiced Apple Bars
These delightful German Spiced Apple Bars are a traditional treat deeply rooted in German cuisine. While referred to as a 'cake' in its native country, the texture and presentation resemble that of a hearty bar cookie. This dessert combines the warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove with fresh apples, offering a comforting aroma and taste that represent the essence of fall. Perfect for a cozy gathering or an autumnal picnic, these bars are best enjoyed with a dollop of vanilla custard sauce or a scoop of creamy ice cream.
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
2 cups
sugar
1/2 cup (divided)
baking powder
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon
butter
1 cup (cut into small pieces)
egg yolks
2 (beaten)
apples
5 cups (peeled, sliced)
sugar
1/2 cup (for filling)
all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (for filling)
ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons
ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon
ground clove
1/4 teaspoon
egg whites
2 (slightly beaten)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
3
Cut 1 cup of butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4
Stir in the beaten egg yolks until the mixture starts coming together. Press half of this crust mixture into the bottom of a 10 x 15 inch jelly roll pan to form the base layer.
5
For the apple filling, combine the sliced apples with 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove in a separate bowl. Mix well until the apples are evenly coated.
6
Spread the apple mixture over the crust in the pan, ensuring an even layer.
7
Crumble the remaining crust mixture over the apple filling.
8
Brush the top layer lightly with the slightly beaten egg whites to help it crisp up.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
10
Allow to cool before cutting into bars. Serve warm or at room temperature with vanilla custard sauce or ice cream on the side.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are German Spiced Apple Bars?
German Spiced Apple Bars are a traditional treat rooted in German cuisine that combines fresh apples with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
Are these apple bars more like a cake or a cookie?
While often referred to as a cake in Germany, their texture and presentation are more like a hearty bar cookie.
What are the primary flavors in this dessert?
The bars feature warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove combined with fresh apples.
When is the best time to serve these bars?
These bars represent the essence of fall and are perfect for cozy gatherings or autumnal picnics.
What should I serve with German Spiced Apple Bars?
They are best enjoyed with a dollop of vanilla custard sauce or a scoop of creamy ice cream.
What oven temperature is required?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How much flour is needed for the recipe?
You will need a total of 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, divided into 2 cups for the crust and 1/4 cup for the filling.
How much sugar is used in the dough?
The dough uses 1/2 cup of sugar.
How do I prepare the butter for the crust?
The butter should be cut into small pieces and then cut into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
What is the role of the egg yolks?
The beaten egg yolks are stirred into the flour and butter mixture to help the crust come together.
What size pan should be used for baking?
Use a 10 x 15 inch jelly roll pan.
How many cups of apples are needed?
The recipe calls for 5 cups of apples.
How should the apples be prepared?
The apples should be peeled and sliced before being mixed with the filling ingredients.
What goes into the apple filling?
The filling consists of sliced apples, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
How much cinnamon is used in the filling?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
What amount of nutmeg and clove is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon of ground clove.
How do I layer the ingredients in the pan?
Press half of the crust mixture into the bottom, spread the apple filling over it, and then crumble the remaining crust mixture on top.
Why do I need egg whites for this recipe?
The slightly beaten egg whites are brushed over the top layer to help it crisp up during baking.
How long do the bars need to bake?
Bake the bars for 30 to 40 minutes.
How can I tell when the bars are finished?
They are done when the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Should I cut the bars while they are hot?
No, you should allow the bars to cool before cutting them.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 10 servings.
Can these be served at room temperature?
Yes, they can be served either warm or at room temperature.
Does the dough include baking powder?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder is mixed into the dry crust ingredients.
Is there salt in the crust?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt is used in the flour mixture.
What is the total amount of butter required?
The recipe uses 1 cup of butter.
How much sugar is used in the filling specifically?
The filling requires 1/2 cup of sugar.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Is the crust mixture pressed into the whole pan?
Half of the crust mixture is pressed into the bottom of a 10 x 15 inch pan to form the base layer.
Can I serve these with ice cream?
Yes, serving them with a scoop of creamy ice cream is a recommended serving suggestion.