Apple Crumble Bars

Also known as "Yummy Apple Thingys", according to Marla. 

These bars are vegan, gluten free, and DELICIOUS. Buttery, not super sweet, and just the right combination of crust, slightly crisp apples, and crumbly topping. Similar to an apple crisp, but with a crisp, buttery crust.  

sweet, tart, giant Honeycrisp apples

ingredients: Gluten Free Flour (I used Pamela's), brown sugar, apples, vegan butter (I used Earth Balance), agave, vanilla. pecans, cinnamon, and kosher salt

apples, cinnamon, vanilla, agave... what could be better?

I couldn't wait and had to pull out a piece from the middle. 

crumbly topping, apples, crust. sigh.

Ingredients

Crust
1 1/2 cup Gluten Free flour (I used Pamela's)
1/4 tsp kosher salt
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) melted vegan butter (I used Earth Balance)

Apples
4 cups peeled, chopped apple
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1-2 tbsp agave (or pure maple syrup)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Crumb topping
1/2 cup GF flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold vegan butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1. Mix together GF flour, salt, and brown sugar with a fork, making sure there are no chunks in the mixture. Add the melted butter and combine until the mixture is dampened, similar to a graham cracker crust.
2. Scoop crust into a 13x9, oiled glass dish, and press down firmly. 
3. In a separate bowl, stir together apples, cinnamon, agave, and vanilla. Layer them into the pan. If mixture has leftover liquid, don’t pour it in with the apples.
4. In the same bowl you used for the crust, combine the ingredients for the crumb topping and mash together with a fork until the butter is combined and everything is in medium or small chunks. Put on top of apples and press down slightly, 
5. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 F, then cool at least 30 minutes before putting into refrigerator. Let cool in refrigerator for about an hour or until bars will hold together when cut.