An old-fashioned apple squares recipe typically features diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, flour, baking soda, salt, and sometimes sour cream or pecans. The taste resembles apple pie, with a sweet and slightly tangy flavor from the apples and spices. Some versions include a creamy apple layer or a sweet brown sugar crust. These squares are often enjoyed dusted with powdered sugar or served with vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
Old-Fashioned Apple Squares Ingredients
Peeled Apples, Diced : The diced apples served as the sweet, flavorful, and textured center of the dessert.
Granulated Sugar : I added the sugar to the apples to enhance their natural flavor while balancing any tartness.
Cinnamon : By including cinnamon, I imparted warmth and depth to the apple filling for a classic taste.
All-Purpose Flour : The flour structured both the crumbly topping and filling, binding everything together in the oven.
Baking Soda : This helped the squares rise subtly and achieve a fine consistency once baked.
Salt : A dash of salt elevated flavors without overwhelming other components.
Brown Sugar : Brown sugar enriched the crumb topping with deep caramel notes.
Quick Oats : Oats gave a nutty crunch through the topping, pleasing the palate.
Margarine : Margarine created buttery richness to cohere the dry ingredients into a crisp, flavorful topping.
How I Made Old-Fashioned Apple Squares
First, I peeled and diced apples into small, equal pieces for even cooking. Next, I combined them with sugar and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat. Stirring occasionally, I let the apples soften and caramelize to build a rich flavor.
Once the apples were tender, I moved on to preparing the crumbly topping. In a bowl, I mixed flour, baking soda, salt, brown sugar and oats. Then I cut softened margarine into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter until crumbly.
After greasing a baking dish, I began assembling the dessert. First, I spread half the crumb mixture over the bottom as a base. Following that, I distributed the cooked apple filling evenly atop.
Finally, I sprinkled the remaining crumb topping over the apples. Then I placed the dish in the preheated oven. Around 30 minutes later, the top was a beautiful golden brown.
After letting it cool slightly, I cut the baked squares for serving. I enjoyed their deliciousness both warm and at room temperature. The right steps resulted in the most satisfyingly nostalgic treat!
Pro Tips
Use Tart Apples: For the best balance of sweetness and tartness, use apples like Granny Smith. They hold their shape well when baked and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the sugars and cinnamon.
Don’t Overcook the Apples: When softening the apples on the stove, cook them just until they’re tender. Overcooking can make them too mushy, and they’ll lose their texture in the squares.
Room Temperature Margarine: Make sure your margarine is softened, not melted, when preparing the crumb topping. This will help create the perfect crumbly texture when mixed with the dry ingredients.
Chill the Topping: After assembling the apple squares and before baking, chill the entire dish in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. This helps the topping set properly during baking, creating a crispier texture on top.
Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Allow the squares to cool for at least 10-15 minutes after baking. This will help them set and make cutting easier without the filling running out.
Variations to Try
Add Nuts: For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the crumb topping. They’ll add a nice texture and nutty flavor.
Incorporate Dried Fruit: Add dried cranberries, raisins, or apricots for an interesting sweet and chewy contrast against the apples.
Spices: If you like a more complex flavor, try adding nutmeg, ginger, or allspice to the apples and the crumb topping for a spiced-up version.
Make It Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free oats to make these squares safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
Add a Layer of Caramel: For an extra indulgence, drizzle caramel sauce on top before baking or swirl it into the apples to create a sweet, gooey layer.
Storage Tips
Room Temperature: Store leftover apple squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. They’ll stay soft and delicious.
Refrigeration: If you want to extend the freshness, refrigerate the squares for up to a week. Make sure they are tightly covered or stored in a sealed container to prevent them from drying out.
Freezing: You can freeze apple squares for longer storage. To freeze, first let them cool completely, then wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, let them thaw in the fridge overnight or reheat them in the oven for a warm, freshly baked treat.
Reheating: If storing in the fridge or freezer, reheat the squares by placing them in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, until warmed through. You can also microwave them for 20-30 seconds, depending on your preference.
More Recipes
Old Fashioned Apple Squares
Ingredients
- 4 cups peeled apples diced
- About 4-5 medium apples
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- For sweetening the apples
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- For flavor and warmth
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- For the crumbly topping and filling
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- To help the squares rise slightly
- 1/4 tsp salt
- To balance the sweetness
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- For a rich caramel flavor in the topping
- 1 cup quick oats
- To give the topping a nutty crunch
- 1/2 cup margarine softened
- To bind the topping ingredients together
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Apples:
- Peel and dice the apples into small, even pieces.
- In a saucepan, combine the apples with granulated sugar and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes until the apples are tender and caramelized.
Prepare the Topping:
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, and oats.
- Cut the softened margarine into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Assemble the Squares:
- Grease a baking dish (around 9x9 inches or similar size).
- Spread half of the crumb mixture over the bottom of the baking dish as a base.
- Evenly spread the cooked apple filling over the crumb base.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb topping over the apples.
Bake:
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Cool and Serve:
- Allow the apple squares to cool slightly before cutting them into squares.
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature.