Apple Jam Bars [with brown butter]

Is it even fall if you don’t have a dessert containing apples? I think not. Check out these Apple Jam Bars with brown butter. Yes, that’s right brown butter, it’s like regular butter but BETTER.  And don’t worry this is not “something fussy” that I’m adding in to make this recipe more difficult, it’s actually the opposite. It’s fast, easy and it will transform the flavor of your dessert to give it a noticeably nutty and complex flavor.

If you try this recipe, don’t forget to take a picture and use the hashtag #AustinJamCompanyEATS

Jam Bars:

• 3 cups chopped apples (about 3 medium apples)
• 4oz Austin Jam Company - Fig Deal
• 2 sticks of unsalted butter (the real deal)
• 2 and 1/3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 and 2/3 cups of packed dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract

Icing:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1.5 cups of confectioners sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350.
2. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper
3. Brown the butter for the bars and the icing in a light-colored skillet (if you don’t have light colored, that’s ok too, but it helps you see when the butter is brown). Once the butter is melted, set the timer for 7 minutes. It will be foamy and start to give off a nutty aroma when ready. Set aside.
4. Remove the butter from the pan but no need to rinse out. Add  in your cups of chopped apples (i didn’t peel mine but you can if you prefer).
5. Pour 4 oz of AJC Fig Deal in with the apples and cook for about 5 minutes.
6. Next, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl.
7. Now, in a different bowl, whisk 1 cup browned butter, the brown sugar, 2 eggs, and vanilla extract together.
8. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
9. Next carefully fold in the apples. This batter will be pretty thick.
10. Evenly spread the batter into the baking dish with the parchment paper and bake for 35 minutes.
11. When the time is up, test with a toothpick. They are ready when the toothpick comes out clean.
12. While the jam bars are cooling, take the remaining 1/4 cup of butter and mix with the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. If it’s too thick you can microwave for a few seconds so soften the butter again.
13. Let cool for about 30 minutes and then drizzle the icing on the jam bars.
14. Lift the parchment paper out of the baking dish and cut into squares.
15. Top with extra AJC Fig Deal and enjoy!