Posted Sep 15, 2023, Updated Sep 30, 2024 Apple pie is a true dessert classic, but can be a bit intimidating. Enter: these apple pie bars! They taste just like apple crumble pie but are easier to make! There’s no chilling or pie dough required to make this delicious fall treat. And they are cut neatly into squares for easy serving! The apple filling is made from scratch with simple ingredients. Sandwiched between the buttery shortbread crust and sweet crumble topping – this bakery-quality dessert will become a family favorite!
Apple Pie Bars: Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples. Choose your favorite apple variety! I recommend pink lady, honey crisp, gala, jazz, granny smith, McIntosh, etc. A sweet/tart mixture is my favorite. Also try raspberry bars & cherry bars for different varieties! Light brown sugar. dark brown sugar works well, it imparts are bolder molasses taste. All-purpose flour. to make these gluten-free, use all-purpose gluten-free baking flour. Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well in this recipe. Granulated Sugar. Use white granulated sugar or organic cane sugar for the best results. Pure Vanilla Extract. If you’d like, you can use a combination of vanilla and another extract such as almond, lemon, etc.
How to Make Apple Pie Bars
There are three layers to make in this recipe. I suggest laying out the dry ingredients for each separately (label them to avoid confusion). They all use similar ingredients just in different amounts.
Make the Apple filling
Since we precook the apples and they need to cool, we start by making the apple filling. So, begin by placing the peeled, cored and sliced apples in a microwave safe dish. Cover and cook for 6 minutes, until apples are slightly soft. Once apples are finished cooking in the microwave, put them in a colander to drain excess water. Let them cool in the colander for at least 10 minutes. While apples are in the microwave, mix together the sugar, flour cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl. Then, transfer the cooled & drained apples to a bowl and stir in dry ingredient mixture until evenly distributed.
Make the Crumb Topping
Next, prepare the crumb topping by mixing together sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Then cut in butter with a fork, a pastry cutter, or your hands until large crumbs form. Set it aside.
Make the Shortbread Crust
I suggest making the shortbread crust last because it’s very simple. Plus, once it’s done you can assemble and bake the apple pie bars right away. Begin by beating the butter and sugar together for 60 seconds either in a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer. Then add the vanilla and beat until incorporated. Next, add the flour and salt and beat until coarse, large crumbs form (about 60-90 seconds).
Assemble & Bake
Spread the dough into the bottom of a 9×9″ baking dish, and use floured hands to press it into an even layer. Then, spread the apple filling evenly over the crust, then sprinkle the crumb topping over the apples. Bake the apple pie bars at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until the stop is set and the filling is bubbly. Let the bars cool to room temperature before serving. The bars are best served once they are completely cool for easy cutting and serving.
Serve
Cut into squares and serve with a dollop of homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce! Also, try more delicious apple recipes like apple crisp, apple cobbler and apple pie! Or, more bar recipes like pumpkin pie bars, cherry bars and raspberry bars!
Store
Store leftover apple pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze
If you have leftover apple pie bars you want to freeze, place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer to flash-freeze them. Then, once the bars are frozen, wrap them in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for about 6 hours. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
