Apple Pie Bars

Name: Apple Pie Bars
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 48 serving
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups unsalted butter; ¾ cup sugar; 3 cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; ½ cup light brown sugar; 6 pounds Granny Smith apples; 1 tablespoon cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; ½ cup water; 3 cups quick-cooking oats; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ cups light brown sugar; 1 ¼ teaspoons cinnamon; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 1 ½ cups unsalted butter; ¾ cup Chopped Pecans

User Reviews

4.5

153 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
Servings
48

Apple Pie Bars

Iris Warren

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Apple Pie Bars combine a rich, buttery shortbread crust with tart apples and a nutty crumble topping for a hand-held version of apple pie that is perfect for everything from potlucks to holiday parties.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the crust:

1 ½ cups unsalted butter softened
¾ cup sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon kosher salt

For the filling:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup light brown sugar
6 pounds Granny Smith apples about 12 apples—peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
½ cup water if necessary

For the topping:

3 cups quick-cooking oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups light brown sugar
1 ¼ teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 ½ cups unsalted butter cut into 1/2-inch cubes and chilled
¾ cup Chopped Pecans

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Instructions

Make the Crust

Preheat the oven to 375°. Line a 15-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter with the sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. At low speed, beat in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
Press the dough over the bottom of the prepared pan creating an even layer. Bake in the center of the oven for about 20 minutes, until the crust is golden and set. Let cool on a rack.

Make the Filling

In an extra large skillet, melt 6 tablespoons of the butter with 1/2 cup of the light brown sugar. Add the apples to the skillet and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir the cinnamon and nutmeg.
Cook until the apples are caramelized and very tender and the liquid is evaporated, about 10 minutes longer; scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet and if necessary, add up to 1/2 cup of water to prevent scorching. Let cool. (I did not need to add any water to my skillet.)

Make the Topping

In a large bowl, mix the oats with the flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Using a pastry blender to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the pecans and press the mixture into clumps.

Assemble and Bake

Spread the apple filling over the crust. Scatter the crumbs on top, pressing them lightly into an even layer. Bake in the center of the oven for 1 hour, until the topping is golden; rotate the pan halfway through baking. Let cool completely on a rack before cutting into 2-inch bars.

Notes

Bars can be stored in at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
I definitely recommend using an Apple Peeler, Corer, Slicer for this recipe. You can pick them up at a variety of places such as Amazon and Bed, Bath and Beyond. They are pretty inexpensive and make the prep work a breeze.