Apple Pie Bars
User Reviews
4.8
Apple Pie Bars
Description
These Apple Pie Bars start with a shortbread crust made from softened butter, sugars, vanilla, flour, salt, and cinnamon pressed into a pan and pre-baked to form a firm but tender base. The apple pie filling uses peeled, thinly sliced Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples cooked briefly with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and a thickener to create a sliceable yet moist consistency.
The streusel topping adds a crisp oat and brown sugar crumb with cinnamon that contrasts with the soft filling and firm crust. The mix of tart and sweet apples creates balance, while the pre-bake step prevents sogginess. Adjusting thickener amounts carefully prevents a cloudy filling and keeps the bars neat when sliced.
Streusel topping can be prepared ahead and kept chilled to save time. The cooked apple filling needs only a short simmer to soften apples slightly before baking. The finished bars offer a portable dessert or snack combining classic apple pie flavors and textures in a convenient bar form.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust:
- 1 1/4 cup butter softened, unsalted
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Apple Pie Filling:
- 6-8 apple cored, peeled, thinly sliced (~1/4 inch thick, ~3 lbs., mix of Granny Smith and Pink Lady
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg optional
- 1 lemon juiced, ~2 Tbsp
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch see notes
- 1/2 cup water as needed
Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup rolled oats old-fashioned, not quick cook or 1-minute
- 1 cup brown sugar light or dark is fine!, packed
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter chilled, unsalted, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Make the streusel topping first: In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, salt and cinnamon.
- Cut in the chilled, cubed butter or mix with fingertips until the mixture comes together in clump
- Cover the streusel and place in refrigerator to chill while you prepare the shortbread crust and apple pie filling.
- Make the shortbread crust: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter, white sugar and brown sugar together until creamy.
- Add in the vanilla and then with the mixer on low gradually add in the dry ingredients.
- Press this into a 9x13 oven safe baking dish and refrigerate for 20 minutes (don't skip this step!).
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Once chilled, bake for 18 minutes in the oven. Remove and let cool while you prepare the filling. Decrease the oven temperature to 350°F.
- Place the sliced apples in a large mixing bowl and mix in the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg.
- Whisk together the lemon juice and cornstarch and add to apples. (This is the thickener). Pour the apple mixture into a large saucepan over medium heat and cook for 5-8 minutes or until apples soften. Stir occasionally and add water as needed so apples don't burn or scorch pan.
- Layer the apples over the shortbread crust.
- Top the apples with the streusel.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let apple pie bars cool. Slice and serve as is or with vanilla bean ice cream!
Notes
- Prepare streusel topping one day in advance and keep chilled for convenience.
- Cook apple filling just until apples begin to soften; they will finish cooking in the oven.
- Use minimal thickener to maintain clear, sliceable filling without cloudiness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12large
Amount Per Serving
Calories 629 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1large bar | |
| Calories | 629kcal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 94g | 31% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Cholesterol | 71mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 214mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 208mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 59g | 118% |
| Vitamin A | 873IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 59mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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