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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Firmly press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an even, compact base layer.
- 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.
- Develop the apple filling by mixing diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch, ensuring all apple pieces are evenly coated.
- Distribute the apple mixture uniformly across the partially baked crust, covering the entire surface.
- Sprinkle the remaining dough mixture over the apple layer, creating a crumbly, textured topping.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the topping achieves a golden-brown color and the apple filling bubbles around the edges.
- 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