The Perfect Apple Pie Bars Recipe for Sweet Comfort

Warm, golden apple pie bars bring comfort straight to your table with their irresistible blend of sweet cinnamon and buttery crust.

Autumn’s most beloved dessert transforms into a handheld treat that promises pure deliciousness.

Crisp apples nestled between layers of flaky pastry create a symphony of flavors and textures.

Each bite carries the essence of homemade goodness and memories of cozy kitchen moments.

The aroma of baking spices will fill your home with warmth and anticipation.

Perfectly balanced between classic pie and convenient bar form, these treats offer a delightful twist on a timeless favorite.

Prepare to fall in love with this simple yet extraordinary dessert that everyone will adore.

Apple Pie Bars The Sweet Reasons You’ll Love Them

• Craft Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: These apple pie bars deliver classic comfort with a modern twist, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings and impressing guests with minimal effort.
• Simplify Baking Process: Using a food processor streamlines preparation, making the recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels and reducing complicated mixing techniques.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows for quick ingredient swaps or additions like nuts, different spices, or alternative fruits to match personal taste preferences.
• Serve Multiple Occasions: Versatile treat works wonderfully for potlucks, family gatherings, school events, or casual weekend dessert moments, guaranteeing widespread appeal.

Apple Pie Bars Ingredients Made Simple

• Flour: A key component that forms the structure of the pie bar's crust.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a crisp texture in the crust.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a tender, flaky base for the bars.
• Egg: Helps bind the crust ingredients together and provides structure.

• Apples: The star ingredient that gives the bars their classic apple pie flavor and fruity texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep sweetness and helps create a caramel-like sauce with the apples.
• Cinnamon: Provides warm, classic spice that complements the apple flavor perfectly.

• Lemon Juice, Cornstarch, Vanilla, Baking Powder, Salt: These ingredients enhance flavor, help thicken the filling, and balance the overall taste of the apple pie bars.

Stepwise Method for Apple Pie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm up your oven to 375F (190C).

Create a comfortable workspace by lining a 9×13″ baking pan with parchment paper, letting extra paper hang over the sides for easy bar removal later.

Step 2: Create Magical Crust Mixture

• Flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cold cubed butter
• Egg
• Vanilla

Pulse everything until the mixture looks like sandy crumbs.

No food processor?

No worries!

Use a pastry cutter or two forks to achieve the same texture.

Step 3: Build Bottom Layer

Take half of your crumb mixture and press it firmly into the pan, creating a smooth, even foundation for your delicious bars.

Step 4: Pre-Bake Crust

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 12 minutes.

You’re looking for a barely set, super light golden color.

Pull it out but keep the oven running.

Step 5: Prepare Apple Filling

• Diced apples
• Lemon juice
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Cornstarch

Toss everything together until apples are evenly coated with the sweet and spicy mixture.

Step 6: Layer Apple Goodness

Spread the apple mixture evenly across the partially baked crust, creating a delectable fruity layer.

Step 7: Sprinkle Crumb Topping

Crumble the remaining dough mixture over the apples, creating a rustic, delightful top layer.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Look for a golden brown topping and bubbling apple edges.

Step 9: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan.

For clean, picture-perfect slices, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares.

Enjoy your homemade apple pie bars!

Apple Pie Bars Baking Secrets to Remember

• Keep butter ice-cold during crust preparation to ensure a flaky, tender texture that melts in your mouth.
• Cut apples into consistent, thin pieces to guarantee even cooking and prevent soggy or undercooked sections.
• Pre-baking the crust creates a protective barrier that stops fruit juices from making the base wet and mushy.
• Toss apples with cornstarch to thicken filling and create a glossy, rich sauce that holds together perfectly.
• Chilling bars before slicing helps them set firmly, allowing you to create neat, picture-perfect square servings.

Apple Pie Bars Variations for New Flavors

• Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend flour for a celiac-friendly option that maintains the same delicious texture and flavor.
• Vegan Apple Pie Squares: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and ensure all ingredients are plant-based for a dairy-free alternative.
• Low-Sugar Apple Dessert Bars: Reduce sugar content by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and incorporate more cinnamon and nutmeg to enhance natural sweetness without added calories.
• Tropical Apple Fusion Bars: Add shredded coconut to the crumb topping and mix in some diced mango or pineapple with the apples for an unexpected flavor combination that brings a sunny twist to the classic recipe.

Plating Apple Pie Bars Like a Pro

• Cozy Family Dessert Night: Serve these warm apple pie bars alongside vanilla bean ice cream for a classic comfort combo that hugs everyone's taste buds.
• Autumn Brunch Treat: Pair these bars with fresh cinnamon coffee or a warm chai latte to create a delightful weekend morning experience that celebrates seasonal flavors.
• Picnic Perfect Slice: Pack these portable bars in a cute container for outdoor gatherings, making them an easy-to-transport dessert that travels wonderfully without losing texture or taste.
• Gifting Goodness: Wrap individual bars in parchment paper with a cute ribbon for a homemade gift that shows love and baking skills in one delicious package.

Storage Solutions for Apple Pie Bars

• Store these delectable apple pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover them tightly to prevent drying out or absorbing other food odors.
• Wrap individual bars or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 months, maintaining their delicious flavor and texture.
• Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight. For best results, warm slightly in the oven at 300F for 5-10 minutes to restore that fresh-baked taste and crisp texture.

FAQs

• What type of apples work best for this recipe?

Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are ideal. They hold their shape during baking and provide a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free to maintain the recipe’s integrity.

• How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Look for a golden-brown topping and bubbling apple filling around the edges. The crust should be lightly set and not too dark. A slightly jiggly center is normal and will set as it cools.

Apple Pie Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Scrumptious Apple Pie Bars bring classic American dessert charm to handheld treats perfect for sharing. Buttery pastry, spiced apple filling, and crumbly streusel topping create an irresistible sweet experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups peeled & diced apples
• 1 cup (2 sticks/226 grams) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Sweeteners & Spices:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a 9×13″ baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring extra paper hangs over the sides for easy removal.
2. Create the crust mixture by combining flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cold butter, egg, and vanilla in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, using a pastry cutter or two forks as an alternative method.
3. Firmly press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an even, compact base layer.
4. Par-bake the crust for 12 minutes until it begins to set and turns very lightly golden. Remove from oven while maintaining the oven temperature.
5. Develop the apple filling by mixing diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch, ensuring all apple pieces are evenly coated.
6. Distribute the apple mixture uniformly across the partially baked crust, covering the entire surface.
7. Sprinkle the remaining dough mixture over the apple layer, creating a crumbly, textured topping.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the topping achieves a golden-brown color and the apple filling bubbles around the edges.
9. Allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, then lift out using the parchment paper overhang. For precise cutting, refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours before slicing into squares.

Notes

• Cut apples into uniform small cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the bars.
• Use cold butter and work quickly to create a flaky, tender crust that holds its shape when baked.
• Pre-baking the crust helps create a crisp base that won’t become mushy from the apple filling.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add a touch of xanthan gum to maintain the original texture and structure of the bars.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 40mg