Apple Pie Bars: Delicious and Easy Dessert

Last updated on January 15th, 2025

While traditional apple pies are a classic favorite, sometimes you want something a little easier to serve and share. Apple Pie Bars take the best elements of a traditional apple pie and transform them into an easily dessert you can hold in your hand. They’re perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or just as a special treat for your family.

Apple Pie Bars Recipe

The beauty of these bars lies in their simplicity – a buttery crust, a generous layer of cinnamon-spiced apples, and a crumbly topping that adds the perfect texture contrast.

Ingredients

For the crust

• 1 package of refrigerated pie crust (or your favorite homemade pie crust recipe)

For the filling

• 6 cups thinly sliced apples (about 6-7 medium apples)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

For the crumb topping

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

How to Make

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Press the pie crust into a 9×13 inch baking pan, making sure to create a slight rim around the edges.
3. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated.
4. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.
5. In another bowl, combine flour and brown sugar for the topping. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apples.
7. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
8. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.

Tips for the Best Apple Pie Bars

1. Choose the right apples: Opt for a mix of tart and sweet apples. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn are excellent choices that hold their shape well during baking.
2. Slice apples uniformly. This makes for even cooking and a consistent texture throughout your bars.
3. Don’t overmix the crumb topping. The goal is to have a pebbly texture, not a paste. Stop mixing as soon as you achieve a crumbly consistency.
4. As tempting as it is to dig in right away, allowing the bars to cool completely will make them easier to cut and serve.
5. While cinnamon is classic, don’t be afraid to add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for extra warmth and depth.

Additions

Here are some extra things for you to try with this recipe:

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.
• Drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra touch of sweetness.
• Pair with a sharp cheddar cheese for a classic apple pie companion.
• Dust with powdered sugar just before serving for a pretty presentation.

A Dessert for Sharing

These bars capture all the comforting flavors of traditional apple pie. I’ve brought these to potlucks and gifted these to friends – they’re a hit!

Enjoy your homemade Apple Pie Bars, and let me know if you have other ideas for additions or variations on the recipe!

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