You will love these Apple Pie Bars if you love a good homemade apple pie. Every component is made from scratch, from the warm apple filling to the crispy shortbread crust. It's the ultimate shareable fall dessert that's perfect just because, or for parties or bake sales.
I made these for guests one Thanksgiving, and they went so fast, I can't remember if I got one! You have to prepare and taste these apple bars to see what I mean. It's not overly sweet with the tart apples and the warm spices. It's unlikely that you'll ever go back to a classic apple pie!
If you enjoy tasty fall bar desserts, you will love eggnog cookie bars and snickerdoodle bars.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Every layer is homemade: This apple bar recipe contains 3 layers, and each is made from scratch. It's a labor of love that results in a show-stopping dessert.
- It's better than apple pie: I love a good homemade apple pie, but these bars are even better. I think it's the crispy shortbread crust!
- It's easy to prepare in advance: You can pre-bake the crust and prepare the rest of the dessert ahead of time to make serving easier, especially for a crowd!
Ingredients
Below are the essential components of each layer in this apple pie bar recipe. Ensure your apples are fresh!.
- Butter: There is melted butter in the crust and cold butter in the topping. If you use salted butter, omit the extra salt in the crust to keep it from being too savory.
- Apples: I recommend a firm apple for this. Granny Smith is one of my favorites because the tartness keeps the dessert from becoming too sweet. You may also use Honey Crisp or Braeburn.
- Spices: There's some cinnamon in each layer, plus a little nutmeg in the filling. You can add some nutmeg to the streusel as well.
- Oats: Whole rolled (old-fashioned) oats are best for this recipe. Steel-cut oats are too chewy, and quick oats will be too mushy.
- Milk: I use whole milk because it provides a better consistency than skim. Soy milk works well, too.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Add dried cranberries: Stir dried cranberries into the apple filling for a chewy texture and tart flavor.
- Add a cheesecake layer: Combine cream cheese with vanilla and powdered sugar, and spread it over the apple layer to make apple cheesecake bars.
- Use more spices: Add more spices, such as ginger and cloves, to the apple mixture or the topping for added warmth and depth.
Give these apple pie bites a try if recipes like this appeal to you.
How to Make Apple Pie Bars
Here are the steps needed to make these apple pie bars with streusel topping. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a square baking dish with parchment paper. I recommend making the glaze while the apple bars cool.
Step 1: Prepare the crust mixture. Combine the crust ingredients in a mixing bowl until they're fully combined.
Step 2: Bake the crust. Then, gently press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and bake for about 20 minutes.
Step 3: Make the apple filling. Toss the apples with the flour, sugar, and spices.
Step 4: Add it to the crust. Once the crust is baked, arrange the coated apple slices over the crust and press them down gently.
Step 5: Prepare and add the topping. Next, make the crumble topping and sprinkle it on top of the apples.
Step 6: Bake, cool, and drizzle icing. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is nice and golden. Then, allow it to cool completely in the pan before drizzling the icing on top. Slice and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Use foil if needed: If you notice that the streusel is browning too quickly, tent it with foil for half the cooking time.
- Slice them thinly and evenly: Ensure the apples are sliced thinly and evenly so they cook at the same rate.
- Don't overbake the crust: When pre-baking the crust, try not to overbake it. This can cause it to burn or become hard.
Try this air fryer apple crisp recipe if you enjoy tart apples and crunchy oats.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can freeze the whole or individual apple pie squares in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the crust and apple mixture. Cover the baked crust with plastic wrap and keep the apples in an airtight container. Layer the apple crumble bars with the topping when you're ready to bake. This cuts out some prep time, making life easier if you're serving guests.
Serving Suggestions
- Try a fun, unique ice cream that pairs well with fall flavors like rhubarb ice cream and gingerbread ice cream.
- Add a drizzle of homemade fruit syrup to add depth and tartness. I highly recommend blueberry syrup and cranberry syrup.
- Prepare a delicious iced coffee topped with pumpkin cold foam to enjoy with your apple pie bar for the ultimate fall experience.
Recipe FAQs
You can, but the texture and consistency will be a little different. I haven't tested it, but you can give it a try if you don't have fresh apples.
You need to give the bars plenty of time to cool before you slice them. This will keep them from crumbling and falling apart.
If your butter is too warm, the streusel will become sticky and almost like a paste. Use butter straight from the refrigerator for the best results.
More Delicious Apple Pie Desserts
Do you like apple pie recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Apple Pie Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
Cinnamon Shortbread Crust
- ½ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
- 3 cups apples thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup whole rolled oats
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cold butter cut into very small pieces
Glaze
- ½ cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust: In a medium bowl, stir together melted butter, sugar, vanilla, salt, and flour until combined. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from oven.
- Make the filling: In a large bowl, toss apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until coated. Layer evenly over the baked shortbread crust and press down lightly.
- Make the streusel: In another bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over apples.
- Increase oven temperature to 350°F. Bake bars for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and apples are tender. Remove from oven and cool completely in the pan.
- Make the glaze: Whisk together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bars before slicing and serving.
Notes
- The best apple pie bars are made with fresh apples, but you can take a shortcut and give it a shot with apple pie filling. Just expect a thinner consistency with the filling!
- Use cold butter when making the crumble topping, or it will not bake properly.
- If you notice that the streusel is browning too quickly, tent the apple bars with aluminum foil to prevent further browning.
Leave a Reply