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Apple Pie Bars
There’s something about the smell of warm apples and cinnamon baking that makes a house feel like home. If you’re craving a sweet, nostalgic dessert but want something a little more convenient than a traditional pie, Apple Pie Bars are the perfect solution. These delightful treats deliver all the comfort of classic apple pie in a quick and easy bar format. The combination of a flaky crust, sweet and spiced apple filling, and an optional crumb topping creates a dessert that’s not only tasty but also visually inviting. Here’s everything you need to know to make it tonight. You may also find Apple Pie Biscuits useful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy golden crust that stays crunchy, even after baking.
- Ready in under an hour, making it a quick dessert option for busy weeknights.
- Feeds a family of 6-8 for under $15, perfect for gatherings.
- Kid-approved — all the deliciousness of apple pie without the fuss.
- Versatile — whether served warm or at room temperature, these bars are a hit.
- Try pairing your apple pie bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
To bring your Apple Pie Bars to life, gather the following ingredients: You may also find Best Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars useful.
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6-8 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 6-8 medium-sized apples (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Crumb Topping (Optional):
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (½ stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prepare the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix. Press the dough evenly into a 9×13 inch baking pan. Chill for 30 minutes. You can blind bake for 10-15 minutes at 375°F (190°C) if you prefer a crispier crust, then let cool slightly.
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Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour/cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated.
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Assemble the Bars: Pour the apple mixture evenly over the chilled (and optionally pre-baked) crust in the baking pan.
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Prepare the Crumb Topping (Optional): In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the apple filling.
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Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust and topping are golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, you can loosely tent the pan with foil.
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Cool: Let the apple pie bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares and serving. This allows the filling to set properly.
Pro Tips & Variations
- Use a mix of apples for a deeper flavor profile. Mixing tart and sweet varieties will give your apple filling an exciting balance.
- Add nuts to the crumb topping for extra crunch and flavor. Try pecans or walnuts for a delightful twist.
- For a quicker option, you can substitute store-bought pie crust for the homemade version.
- If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, you can use coconut oil instead of butter.
Storage & Reheating
Store your Apple Pie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the bars for up to three months. Simply reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
FAQ
- Can I use different fruits? Yes! Feel free to mix in other fruits like pears or peaches for a delicious twist.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare the filling a day ahead and assemble it just before baking.
- What’s the best way to serve these? They are delightful on their own or with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.
- Can I make these gluten-free? Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure your oats (if using) are certified gluten-free.
- Do I need to peel the apples? For the best texture and flavor, it’s recommended to peel the apples before slicing.
Conclusion
Making Apple Pie Bars is an excellent way to bring the comforting delight of apple pie to your table without all the fuss. Your family will appreciate the warm, cozy flavors that celebrate classic desserts. If you’re looking for a way to elevate your bars, try out these delicious Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars or let your taste buds indulge in Ina Garten’s Apple Pie Bars. Enjoy baking and let me know how yours turn out!
Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2.5 cups 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ⅓ cup ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon ½ teaspoon salt
- 6-8 tablespoons 6-8 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling
- 6-8 medium-sized 6-8 medium-sized apples (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 0.5 cup ½ cup granulated sugar
- 0.25 cup ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1.5 tablespoons 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Crumb Topping (Optional)
- 0.5 cup ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 0.25 cup ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 0.25 cup ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 0.25 teaspoon ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 cup ¼ cup (½ stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
Preparation of Crust
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Press the dough evenly into a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Chill for 30 minutes.
- Optionally, blind bake for 10-15 minutes at 375°F (190°C) for a crispier crust, then let cool slightly.
Preparation of Filling
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour/cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
- Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated.
Assembly of Bars
- Pour the apple mixture evenly over the chilled (and optionally pre-baked) crust in the baking pan.
Preparation of Crumb Topping
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
- Cut in the cold butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle this topping evenly over the apple filling.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust and topping are golden brown.
- If the topping browns too quickly, you can loosely tent the pan with foil.
Cooling and Serving
- Let the apple pie bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares and serving.
- This allows the filling to set properly.