Old Fashioned Apple Squares
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.
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.
Notes
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.