Apple Pie Bars Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Meymi. This post may contain affiliate links.

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These apple pie bars are delicious and easy to make! You need simple ingredients to make this yummy treat.

Apple Pie Bars Recipe (1)

Today I am sharing another recipe with apples. If you made mystrawberry bars, you know how delicious and easy to make they are. I decided to share a fall version of them.

I use my cinnamon shortbread cookie recipefor the dough. These apple pie bars with shortbread crust are crunchy and soft. You’ll use the same dough for the crust and the crumbles to make these simple and from scratch apple pie bars.

Thick crust and crumbles with cinnamon and apples are so yummy and they are perfect any time of the year, especially in fall and winter.Apple Pie Bars Recipe (2)

Can You Freeze Apple Pie Bars?

Yes! You can keep in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. You can thaw these bars overnight in the fridge.

How to Make Apple Pie Bars with Crumb Topping

I start with apples.First I peel, core and slice the apples into small pieces. Then I place the chopped apples into a medium bowl and toss with lemon juice, sugar, flour (alternatively you can use cornstarch) cinnamon and nutmeg. I set aside the bowl.

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Next, I start to make the dough. I combine flour, cinnamon, and sugar in a large bowl.

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Then I add the cold cubed butter and cover with flour mixture soI cut the butter into the flour mixture easily with 2 forks until they look like breadcrumbs. (Alternatively, you can rub with your fingertips.)

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Later, I spread ⅔ of the mixture into the oven-proof dish with a spoon.I lightly flour the spoon to avoid it sticking to the flour-butter mixture. After that, I add the apple mixture over the dough and cover the apples with the remaining ⅓ of the dough. I make some big crumbles by squeezing the dough.

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Finally, I bake for 55 minutes until the top becomes golden brown and the crumbles are crunchy. I let it cool completelybefore slicing with a sharp knife. When it is cool, I cut it into 16 pieces.

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You can keep these bars in the fridge in an airtight container up to 4 days or you can freeze up to 3 months.

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Enjoy!Apple Pie Bars Recipe (10)

Other apple recipes you may enjoy!
  • Apple Blondies
  • Caramel Apple Bars
  • Puff Pasty Apple Turnovers
  • Apple Crisp Cookie Cups
  • Easy Apple Crumble Recipe
  • Apple Crumble Muffins
  • Dried Apples

Apple Pie Bars Recipe (11)

Apple Pie Bars Recipe

This delicious apple pie bars recipe with crumb topping is crunchy and soft. You'll use the same shortbread dough for the crust and the crumbles to make these easy and from scratch apple pie bars.

4.98 from 443 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 bars

Calories: 205kcal

Author: Meymi

Ingredients

Apple Filling

  • 550 g (4 and ½ cups-4 medium apples) chopped cubed apples
  • 30 g (2 tablespoons) granulated sugar
  • 25 g (2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon) all-purpose flour*
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Crust & Crumbles

  • 280 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour (dip and sweep)**
  • 185 g (¾ cup and 1 tablespoon) unsaltedbutter, cut into small cubes, cold
  • 105 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F(177C°). Grease 8 inch (20cm) square oven-proof dish and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper, about 2 inches(5 cm) of overhang on each side.

Apple Filling

  • Peel, core and slice the apples into small pieces. Place the chopped apples into a medium bowl. Toss the apples with lemon juice, sugar, flour/cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside the bowl.

Crust & Crumbles

  • Combine flour, cinnamon, and sugar in a large bowl.

  • Add the cold cubed butter and cover with flour mixture so you can cut the butter into the flour mixture easily. You can use 2 forks or a pastry blender. Alternatively, you can rub with your fingertips.

Assemble

  • Spread ⅔ of the mixture into the oven-proof dish with a spoon. Lightly flour the spoon to avoid it sticking to the flour-butter mixture. You can spread with your hand too. Add the apple mixture over the dough and cover the apples with the remaining ⅓ dough. You can make some big crumbles by squeezing the dough with your hand.

  • Bake for 55 minutes until the top becomes golden brown and the crumbles are crunchy. Let it cool completely before slicing. You can let it cool at room temperature for 1-1,5 hours and then you can keep in the freezer so it can cool faster. Once completely cool, lift the paper from the sides, remove the bars from the dish, cut into 16 pieces. You can keep in the fridge in an airtight container up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Notes

*You can use 1 tablespoon of cornstarch instead of flour.

**You can click here for dip and sweep method if you use cup measurements.

This is the knife I used to cut the apple pie bars.

This is the measuring cup set I used for the baking conversion chart.

The calorie information above is an estimate that is provided by an online nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 205kcal

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Apple Pie Bars Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best apple mix for pie? ›

Apples – It's best to use a variety of apples in apple pie. Just like when we make apple cake, I recommend using half tart and half sweet. I love tart Granny Smith apples paired with a sweet variety such as Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Jazz, or Fuji.

What are the best apples for apple tarts? ›

The results are way more delicate and not as sweet as a shortbread shell, but provides the perfect base for our apples. The best apples for an apple tart: We're partial to Granny Smith, Honeycrip, and Gala, but you can really use any baking apple that you prefer in this recipe!

Should you cook apples before putting in pie? ›

Baking the apple slices first. It's the magic key to a crispy base, superior flavour and perfectly-cooked-and-never-mushy filling. It's also how you get a generous amount of pie filling without the dreaded giant empty cavity under the lid.

How do you make an apple pie less juicy? ›

A light layer of flour will soak up excess liquid in your filling without changing the flavor of your pie. Sprinkle the flour over the pie crust before you add your pie filling. You can also use ground nuts, though you might be able to taste them in the pie.

What is the best thickener for apple pie? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency.

What is the number one apple for pie? ›

Granny Smith apples are considered by many to be the "pie apples." They are known for their snappy tartness and ability to maintain their shape and texture when cooked. These are, no doubt, a terrific choice for apple pie — especially when combined with a sweeter, softer apple like Braeberns or Crispins.

What are the three best apples for apple pie? ›

If you prioritize a more puckery pie, use mostly Granny Smiths and toss in a Honeycrisp and a Jonagold. If you like your apples to slump and soften, use mostly Golden Delicious with a Braeburn thrown in.

What is the sweetest apple for baking? ›

Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

What are the top 5 apples for baking? ›

For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

Is glass or metal better for baking pies? ›

The Bottom Line

Glass pie pans are the way to go for the best pies, but it doesn't mean you can't bake pies in ceramic, steel, or aluminum pans, too. It just might take a little longer to get the flakiest crust in these other types of pans.

Should apple pie crust be prebaked? ›

You also pre-bake a pie crust for no-bake FRESH fruit filled pies. (Think fresh strawberry pie lathered in sticky glaze.) You do not need to pre-bake a pie crust for an apple pie or any baked fruit pie really, but we do freeze the dough to help it stay put.

Why are my apples mushy in my pie? ›

Avoid using overripe apples to prevent your pie from becoming mushy and wet. Southern Living says choosing the perfect apple variety will be for naught if the fruit is overripe. Your pie will turn out very mushy and lack the flavor apple pie is known for.

Should I soak apples before making pie? ›

Some experts will tell you to par-cook apples before filling a pie by pouring boiling water over cut apples and soaking them for 10 minutes. Others say to roast them to reduce water content. Still, others say to let cut apples sit for 30-40 minutes to drain natural juices.

How do you keep the bottom crust on an apple pie crispy? ›

Crust dust is a 1:1 mixture of flour and granulated sugar. When baking a pie, especially a fruit pie, a couple of teaspoons of crust dust sprinkled into the bottom of the crust will help prevent the crust from becoming saturated with juicy filling as it bakes.

What 4 apples are best used for baking? ›

Which apples bake best? For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

What are the best apples for applesauce and apple pie? ›

The following apples are great choices for your next batch of homemade applesauce.
  • Cortland.
  • Golden Delicious.
  • Gala.
  • McIntosh.
  • Granny Smith.
Nov 18, 2022

What is the best apple combination for sauce? ›

For a basic applesauce, use McIntosh and Golden Delicious apples. Golden Delicious is a soft apple variety with a mellow flavor, so it cooks down easily and provides a great foundation for your applesauce. McIntosh apples are slightly tart and crisp, but soften easily, making them a stellar choice for pies and sauces.

Are Honeycrisp apples good for baking? ›

Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

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