Description
These Easy Apple Pie Bars feature a buttery crumbly crust topped with a sweet and sticky apple filling. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and cooked to a golden finish, they combine the classic flavors of apple pie in a convenient bar form that’s great for dessert or snack time.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Filling
- 4 baking apples
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
Crust and Topping
- ¾ cup butter
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- 1½ cups all purpose flour
- 1-2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prepare the apples: Peel and cube the apples, removing and avoiding the core to ensure a smooth filling.
- Cook apple filling: In a small pot over medium heat, combine the apple pieces with brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir often and cook for 6-8 minutes until the apples start breaking down.
- Thicken the filling: Stir in the cornstarch and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens to a consistency between applesauce and jam.
- Make the dough: Mix together the butter, granulated sugar, and flour. Add 1 tablespoon of water and mix until a crumbly dough forms; add a second tablespoon of water if needed to reach the right texture.
- Form and prebake the crust: Divide the dough in half. Press half the dough into the bottom of a square baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12 minutes.
- Add filling and topping: Spoon the apple pie filling over the partially baked crust. Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the top.
- Bake the bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes until the crumbly topping is lightly browned and crisp.
- Cool and serve: Allow the apple pie bars to cool completely before cutting into squares for serving.
Notes
- These bars have a rich buttery bottom crust paired with a thick and sticky sweet apple filling.
- Use tart baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best flavor and texture.
- Ensure the filling is thick enough before assembling to prevent sogginess.
- Cooling completely before slicing helps the bars hold their shape.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 245 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 28 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
