Amish Sweet Molasses Crumble Bars with Gooey Bottoms

Perfect for Satisfying That Sweet Tooth

If you love the comforting flavors of traditional Amish shoofly pie, you’re in for a treat with these delicious molasses crumble bars! They’re an irresistible combination of crumbly topping and a rich, sticky molasses filling. With a buttery crust that holds everything together, this dessert is perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying solo with a cup of coffee. The layers of texture and depth of flavor make these bars a surefire hit!

Yield: 9 bars

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes

Photo byGLP

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup vegetable shortening, cubed
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

For the Crumble and Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons vegetable shortening, cubed
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 large egg, room temperature

Directions:

To Make the Crust:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x9-inch baking pan. Place the prepared pan on a baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the shortening and powdered sugar until smooth and combined. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
4. Press the dough evenly into the greased pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden.

To Make the Filling and Crumble:

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour and brown sugar together. Cut in the shortening until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Set this aside for later.
2. In a separate bowl, dissolve the baking soda in boiling water (it will bubble up). Stir in the molasses and beaten egg until well combined.
3. Pour the molasses mixture evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle the crumble topping gently over the molasses mixture.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the center is still slightly soft but not fully set. Let the bars cool completely before slicing and serving.

Substitutions:

• Molasses alternative: If you don’t have molasses, dark corn syrup or maple syrup can add a different but equally delicious sweetness to the filling.
• Shortening substitute: Butter works well as a replacement for shortening in both the crust and crumble, giving a richer flavor.
• Brown sugar: Light brown sugar can be used if dark brown sugar is unavailable.

Storage:

Keep these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them to extend their shelf life up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to a month—just let them thaw completely before serving.

These bars are the perfect mix of textures and flavors that are sure to please any dessert lover!

https://12tomatoes.com/amish-wet-bottom-shoofly-pie-bars/