Get ready to fall in love with the perfect fall dessert. These Apple Pie Bars deliver all the cozy, spiced flavor of a traditional apple pie but in an easy-to-make, shareable format. This recipe features a buttery shortbread crust that doubles as the crumble topping, a perfectly sweet and tangy apple filling, and a simple glaze that takes them over the top. Forget the hassle of a pie dish; these bars are your new go-to for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or a simple weeknight treat.
We’ve designed this recipe to be foolproof, ensuring you get perfectly baked, delicious apple pie bars every single time. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love These Apple Pie Bars
If you’re looking for the ultimate autumn dessert, this is it. These bars are simpler than a full pie but pack all the same delicious flavor. The shortbread crust is incredibly buttery and tender, providing the perfect base for the spiced apple filling. Plus, using the same mixture for the crust and the crumble topping saves you time and effort.
Fresh out of the oven! The smell of these baking is absolutely divine.
This recipe is incredibly versatile and perfect for any occasion. They travel well, making them an ideal choice for parties. Much like our popular Pumpkin Pie Bars, these are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a fantastic addition to any holiday dessert table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry staples to create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Shortbread Crust & Crumble Topping
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our buttery crust.
Granulated Sugar: Adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the shortbread.
Light Brown Sugar: Brings a hint of molasses flavor that complements the apples beautifully.
Baking Powder: Gives the crust a slight lift, keeping it tender.
Cinnamon: A classic warm spice for that signature apple pie flavor.
Salt: Balances all the sweetness.
Unsalted Butter: Use cold, cubed butter for a crumbly, tender texture.
Egg: Acts as a binder for the crust.
For the Spiced Apple Filling
Apples: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are excellent choices. They hold their shape and provide a nice balance of sweet and tart.
Lemon Juice: Prevents the apples from browning and adds a touch of brightness.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps to thicken the filling.
Spices: A classic combination of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness to the filling.
How to Make Apple Pie Bars (Step-by-Step)
Making these delicious Apple Pie Bars is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps for a perfect dessert.
Look at those perfect layers! The buttery crust and spiced apples are a match made in heaven.
Step 1: Make the Crust and Crumble Mixture
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to easily lift the bars out later. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut it in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Whisk the egg in a small bowl and stir it into the flour mixture until just combined.
Step 2: Form the Crust
Reserve about 1 ½ cups of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. This pre-baking step ensures your crust stays firm and doesn’t get soggy.
Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling
While the crust is baking, prepare your filling. In a large bowl, combine the peeled, cored, and sliced apples with the lemon juice. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour this over the apples and toss gently to coat. Add the melted butter and stir until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Spread the apple filling evenly over the partially baked crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the top of the apples. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting and serving. This is a crucial step to ensure they set properly.
Tips for the Best Apple Pie Bars
Want to make your Apple Pie Bars absolutely perfect? Here are a few expert tips:
Choose the Right Apples: A firm, tart apple like Granny Smith holds its shape and prevents the filling from becoming mushy. Honeycrisp is another great option.
Don’t Overmix the Crust: For a tender, crumbly shortbread, mix until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough crust.
Cool Completely: I can’t stress this enough! Allowing the bars to cool completely is essential for clean slices. If you’re impatient, you can speed up the process by placing them in the refrigerator for an hour.
Add a Drizzle: A simple powdered sugar glaze or a drizzle of caramel sauce after cooling can elevate these bars even more.
If you’re planning a holiday baking session, be sure to check out our other easy holiday cookie recipes for more inspiration!
Storing and Freezing Apple Pie Bars
These bars store wonderfully, making them a great make-ahead dessert. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Once cooled completely, slice the bars and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, separated by layers of parchment paper. They will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
The best apples are firm and hold their shape during baking. We recommend tart apples like Granny Smith for a classic flavor or a sweeter, crisp variety like Honeycrisp. Avoid softer apples like Red Delicious, as they can become mushy.
The key to preventing a soggy crust is to partially bake it before adding the filling. Our recipe calls for a 15-minute pre-bake, which creates a firm base that can hold up to the moisture from the apple filling.
Absolutely! These bars are perfect for making ahead. You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
You can store them at room temperature for a few days, but if you need to keep them longer, refrigeration is best. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. They can be enjoyed cold or gently reheated.
While you can use canned filling in a pinch, we highly recommend making the filling from scratch for the best flavor and texture. Our homemade filling is quick to prepare and allows you to control the sweetness and spice level.
The Perfect Apple Pie Bars Recipe
FL Recipes
Apple Pie Bars: The Perfect Easy Dessert Recipe
These Apple Pie Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, a perfectly spiced apple filling, and a delicious crumble topping. An easy and delicious alternative to traditional apple pie!
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper with an overhang.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in the lightly beaten egg until just combined. Reserve 1 ½ cups of the mixture for the topping. Press the rest firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden at the edges.
While the crust bakes, combine sliced apples and lemon juice in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the spice mixture and melted butter to the apples and toss to combine.
Spread the apple filling evenly over the warm, partially baked crust. Sprinkle the reserved 1 ½ cups of crumb mixture evenly over the apple layer.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares. This is essential for clean cuts.
Nutrition
Calories: 185kcalProtein: 2gFat: 8gFiber: 1g
Notes
For best results, use a firm, tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to prevent a mushy filling. Do not slice the bars until they have cooled completely, otherwise they will fall apart. A simple glaze made of 1 cup powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of milk can be drizzled over the top once cooled.
Keyword apple crumble bars,apple pie bars,easy apple dessert
We hope you loved making these incredible Apple Pie Bars! If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider sharing it with your friends and family. A quick share to Pinterest helps us more than you know and allows others to discover this delicious treat. We love seeing your creations, so don’t forget to leave a comment below!
All the flavor of apple pie in a simple, shareable bar!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
