Apple-Cherry Crumble Bars

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Photo: Victor Schrager
Yield:
2 dozen

Reminiscent of a fruit crisp, this sweet-tart dessert upends the usual proportions of jammy filling and buttery oatmeal crumble to great effect.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups dried apples, about 7 ounces

  • ¾ cup dried cherries, about 4 ½ ounces

  • 1 ¾ cups apple cider

  • ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 2 cups rolled oats

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 2 sticks (16 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for dish

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Simmer apples, cherries, and cider in a covered saucepan, stirring occasionally, until fruits are softened and plump, about 5 minutes. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons liquid. Let cool.

  2. Coarsely chop fruit. Combine with 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and reserved cooking liquid.

  3. Whisk together oats, flour, baking soda, salt, remaining 3/4 cup sugar, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until crumbs range in size from peas to gum balls. Press 4 cups of oat mixture into bottom of prepared dish. Spread fruit filling on top, leaving a 1/4-inch border on all sides. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture on top.

  4. Bake until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Let cool in dish on a wire rack. Cut into 24 bars.

Cook's Notes

Bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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