Description
Delight in these easy-to-make Apple Pie Bars featuring a buttery, crumbly crust and a spiced apple filling, topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for a fall dessert or anytime you crave the classic flavors of apple pie in a convenient bar form.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Topping
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg
Filling
- 6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg and mix until dough forms.
- Press Dough for Crust: Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a separate bowl, toss the sliced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch until well coated.
- Assemble Filling: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust layer in the pan.
- Add Crumble Topping: Crumble the remaining one-third dough over the apple filling evenly.
- Bake: Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the apples are tender.
- Cool Bars: Let the bars cool completely in the pan to set properly.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars using a spoon or piping bag, then slice into 16 bars and enjoy.
Notes
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for the best flavor balance.
- Bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For added texture, mix chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans into the crumble topping before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
