Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Introduction

Apple Pie Bars combine the comforting flavors of classic apple pie with the convenience of a handheld dessert. With a buttery crust, tender spiced apples, and a crumbly topping, these bars are perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (80g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/4 cups (150g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour or King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 6 cups (678g) apples, peeled and diced in 1/2″ pieces (about 6 to 8 medium apples)
• 2 tablespoons (28g) lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons King Arthur Apple Pie Spice*
• 3/4 cup (149g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (60g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour or King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour
• 1/4 cup (53g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon King Arthur Apple Pie Spice or ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, cold; cut into 1/4″ cubes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325°F and place a rack in the center. Line an 8″ square pan with a parchment sling and lightly grease the parchment.
2. Step 2: Make the crust by beating the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add the flour and salt and beat on low speed until crumbly but holds together when squeezed.
3. Step 3: Transfer crust mixture to the prepared pan, shake to distribute evenly, and firmly press into an even layer. Prick the dough all over with a fork.
4. Step 4: Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and increase the oven temperature to 350°F. Let the crust cool slightly.
5. Step 5: For the filling, combine apples and lemon juice in a large bowl. Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat, add apple pie spice, then add apples and stir to coat.
6. Step 6: Cook apples for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until they start to soften.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle sugar over the apples and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 to 10 minutes until most liquid has evaporated and mixture is slightly sticky. Remove from heat and cool off the heat.
8. Step 8: Prepare the topping by combining flour, brown sugar, and spice in a bowl. Work in the cold butter with your hands or fork until crumbly, with some pea-sized chunks.
9. Step 9: Spread the cooked apples evenly over the crust, then sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the apples.
10. Step 10: Bake the bars for 35 to 40 minutes until the topping is light golden brown.
11. Step 11: Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan before lifting out, slicing, and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of apple varieties, like Granny Smith and Fuji, for a balanced sweet-tart flavor and texture.
• Chill the topping ingredients before mixing to help create a crispier crumb.
• Substitute apple pie spice with a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice if you don’t have the mix on hand.

Storage

Store leftover Apple Pie Bars well-wrapped at room temperature for several days. For longer storage, freeze the bars in an airtight container. Reheat gently before serving to restore softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

Fresh apples are best for texture, but if using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid thoroughly before cooking to prevent a soggy filling.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend to keep the texture similar while making the bars gluten-free.

Apple Pie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 84 reviews

These Apple Pie Bars feature a buttery crust topped with a spiced sautéed apple filling and a crumbly streusel topping, offering all the flavors of classic apple pie in convenient bar form. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack, they are baked until golden and deliciously tender.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars (8×8 inch pan) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust

• 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (80g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/4 cups (150g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour or King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt

Filling

• 6 cups (678g) apples, peeled and diced in 1/2″ pieces (about 6 to 8 medium apples)
• 2 tablespoons (28g) lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons King Arthur Apple Pie Spice
• 3/4 cup (149g) granulated sugar

Topping

• 1/2 cup (60g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour or King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour
• 1/4 cup (53g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon King Arthur Apple Pie Spice or ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, cold; cut into 1/4″ cubes

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F and position a rack in the center. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, creating a sling for easy removal, and lightly grease the parchment.
2. Make the Crust: In a medium bowl or stand mixer bowl fitted with the flat beater, beat the room temperature butter and brown sugar on medium speed until smooth, about 30 seconds. Scrape down the bowl, then add the flour and salt. Beat on low speed until the dough is crumbly and holds together when squeezed, about a minute. Transfer to the prepared pan, shake gently to distribute evenly, then firmly press into an even layer with your hands.
3. Dock the Dough: Prick the crust all over with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.
4. Bake the Crust: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and increase the temperature to 350°F. Let the crust cool slightly while preparing the filling.
5. Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the diced apples with lemon juice and stir. Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet, then add the apple pie spice and stir. Add the apples to the skillet to coat them in butter and spice mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until apples just begin to soften.
6. Add Sugar and Cook Filling: Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over the apples and stir to combine. Continue cooking for 6 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The apples will release liquid initially; cook until most of the liquid evaporates and the mixture becomes slightly sticky but apples are not fully tender. Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool off the heat.
7. Make the Topping: In a medium bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and apple pie spice or cinnamon. Add the cold butter cubes and use your hands or a fork to work it into the flour mixture until crumbly, with pea-sized and slightly larger chunks of butter throughout.
8. Assemble the Bars: Spread the cooled apple filling evenly over the baked crust in the pan. Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the apples.
9. Bake the Bars: Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes until the topping is light golden brown and crisp.
10. Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before lifting them out using the parchment sling. Slice into bars and serve.
11. Storage: Store leftover bars well-wrapped at room temperature for several days or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

• Use a mix of apple varieties such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji for best flavor and texture contrast.
• To prevent browning, keep diced apples tossed in lemon juice until ready to cook.
• Press the crust firmly to ensure it holds together after baking.
• The filling won’t be fully soft before baking as it continues cooking in the oven.
• Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to keep them intact.
• These bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Keywords: apple pie bars, apple dessert bars, baked apple bars, spiced apple bars, homemade apple dessert