Description
Irresistible apple pie bars bring classic comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending buttery pastry with sweet cinnamon-spiced fruit. Crisp layers of golden crust and warm apple filling invite you to savor each delightful bite of pure homemade goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Base Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons ice water
Filling Ingredients:
- 4 cups apples
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage and slight overhang for easy removal.
- Create the pastry base by combining flour, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl, then methodically incorporate cold butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Introduce vanilla and ice water to the crumbly mixture, gently working the dough until it cohesively binds together without overworking.
- Transfer approximately two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan, pressing firmly and evenly to create a uniform bottom crust, then bake for 15 minutes until lightly set.
- While the crust pre-bakes, prepare the apple filling by combining sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch, ensuring each apple piece is thoroughly coated.
- Spread the spiced apple mixture evenly across the pre-baked crust, maintaining a consistent layer from edge to edge.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the apple filling, creating a rustic, textured topping that allows glimpses of the filling underneath.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, rotating midway to ensure uniform golden-brown coloration and complete apple softening.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan, which helps the bars set and makes cutting cleaner and more precise.
- Once cooled, lift the bars out using parchment paper edges and slice into uniform rectangles for serving.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Use extremely cold butter and work quickly to ensure a flaky, tender crust that doesn’t become tough or greasy.
- Apple Selection Tip: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking and provide a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make the recipe accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the bars a day in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature to enhance flavor and save time on serving day.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 207 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 57 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg