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The Best Apple Pie Bars Recipe for Easy Baking

The Best Apple Pie Bars Recipe for Easy Baking

Buttery shortbread apple pie bars feature a tender cinnamon-spiced apple layer and golden oat crumble topping. This easy pan dessert makes 16 bars and is wonderful at room temperature or chilled.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 16 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Shortbread Crust
  • 1 cup (226 g) Unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) Granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 cups (250 g) All-purpose flour
Apple Filling
  • 4-5 medium apples, about 5 cups Medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) Granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (32 g) All-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
Crumb Topping
  • 3/4 cup (65-70 g) Old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup (42 g) All-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup (67 g) Packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup (57 g) Cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Optional Glaze
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) Powdered sugar
  • 1-2 teaspoons Milk or cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8 x 8-inch or 9 x 9-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides, and lightly grease the parchment.
  2. Beat or stir the softened butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until combined. Add the flour and mix just until a soft, crumbly dough forms.
  3. Press the crust dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to turn light golden.
  4. While the crust bakes, peel, core, and slice the apples about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Toss them with the sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice immediately before layering.
  5. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the partially baked crust. Keep the slices level so the filling cooks at an even rate.
  6. Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the topping. Rub or cut in the cold butter until coarse crumbs form, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the apples.
  7. Bake for another 30–35 minutes, until the apples are tender and the crumb topping is golden brown. Cool completely in the pan, preferably for at least 1 hour, before cutting.
  8. For the optional glaze, stir the powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla together until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars before serving.

Notes

Use a mixture of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, and Braeburn are good choices. Cool completely for cleaner slices, then serve chilled or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.