Apple Pie Bars Recipe | My Baking Addiction (2024)

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Apple Pie Bars combine a rich, buttery shortbread crust with tart apples and a nutty crumble topping for a hand-held version of apple pie that is perfect for everything from potlucks to holiday parties.

Apple Pie Bars Recipe | My Baking Addiction (1)

I feel like I reached a new level of adulthood yesterday.

While at Home Depot on the hunt for mums in a specific color and size – yes, I am already decorating for fall, judge away – I somehow ended up in the toilet seat aisle.

Well, I kind of know how I ended up there – I was browsing bathroom vanities because ours are falling apart after 4 years.

Gotta love builder grade products. Insert mega eye roll here.

Apple Pie Bars Recipe | My Baking Addiction (2)

I came across a soft-close toilet seat and decided that I needed to have it, but that’s not necessarily the new level of adulthood part.

Sure a new toilet seat that doesn’t wiggle and get slammed by my 5-year-old is awesome, but guys, I removed the old one and installed the new one myself.

I am sure some of you are rolling your eyes right now because toilet seat installation is not that serious, but I am the most unhandy of people on the planet, so this was quite the Thursday afternoon accomplishment.

In fact as soon as I’m done decorating for fall, I’m thinking of trying my hand at installing some vertical shiplap in my laundry room.

Wait, is shiplap still a thing?

Maybe I should stick with what I’m decent at and that’s making desserts, especially fall desserts like these apple pie bars.

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APPLE PIE WITH A TWIST

I’m going through a bit of an apple phase – more specifically an apple pie phase, but not in the traditional sense.
I’m all about the warm and cozy taste and texture of America’s favorite pie, but I’m having fun baking those flavors into other desserts.

I’ve been revisiting recipes like my Caramel Apple Crisp, gorgeous Apple Pie Muffins, luscious Slow Cooker Apple Butter and now these lovely Apple Pie Bars.

Apple Pie Bars Recipe | My Baking Addiction (4)

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a traditional apple pie every now and again, even if it’s in mini version like my Mini Apple Pies. But pie crust is not my favorite thing to work with and honestly, I think some of these other recipes are more fun (and easier) to make.

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HOW TO MAKE APPLE PIE BARS

In the case of Apple Pie Bars, pie crust is swapped with a shortbread crust. After mixing the dough together, it gets pressed into the bottom of a rimmed baking sheet – zero chilling or rolling necessary.

The “hardest” part of this recipe is the filling. I use the word “hardest” loosely because if you can cook anything in a pan, then you can make this filling.

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Because you want the apples in these Apple Pie Bars to be nice and soft, they need to cook for a bit before the bars go in the oven.

I also nixed a top crust on these bars in favor of a crumble topping. Oats, cinnamon, and pecans make this crumble so good, it might be my favorite part of this recipe.

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Although these Apple Pie Bars definitely fit into the dessert category (they’re amazing with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream), we can’t help indulging in them with our morning coffee for a delicious breakfast.

This recipe makes a huge batch of these bars which makes them perfect for potlucks, holiday cookie swaps or holiday parties. You’ll find yourself making them for just about every occasion!

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Apple Pie Bars

By: Jamie

4.50 from 51 votes

Prep: 45 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Servings: 48

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Apple Pie Bars combine a rich, buttery shortbread crust with tart apples and a nutty crumble topping for a hand-held version of apple pie that is perfect for everything from potlucks to holiday parties.

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1 ½ cups unsalted butter softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

For the filling:

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 6 pounds Granny Smith apples about 12 apples—peeled, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • ½ cup water if necessary

For the topping:

  • 3 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 ½ cups unsalted butter cut into 1/2-inch cubes and chilled
  • ¾ cup chopped pecans

Instructions

Make the Crust

  • Preheat the oven to 375°. Line a 15-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter with the sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. At low speed, beat in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms.

  • Press the dough over the bottom of the prepared pan creating an even layer. Bake in the center of the oven for about 20 minutes, until the crust is golden and set. Let cool on a rack.

Make the Filling

  • In an extra large skillet, melt 6 tablespoons of the butter with 1/2 cup of the light brown sugar. Add the apples to the skillet and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir the cinnamon and nutmeg.

  • Cook until the apples are caramelized and very tender and the liquid is evaporated, about 10 minutes longer; scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet and if necessary, add up to 1/2 cup of water to prevent scorching. Let cool. (I did not need to add any water to my skillet.)

Make the Topping

  • In a large bowl, mix the oats with the flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Using a pastry blender to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the pecans and press the mixture into clumps.

Assemble and Bake

  • Spread the apple filling over the crust. Scatter the crumbs on top, pressing them lightly into an even layer. Bake in the center of the oven for 1 hour, until the topping is golden; rotate the pan halfway through baking. Let cool completely on a rack before cutting into 2-inch bars.

Video

Notes

  • Bars can be stored in at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • I definitely recommend using an Apple Peeler, Corer, Slicer for this recipe. You can pick them up at a variety of places such as Amazon and Bed, Bath and Beyond. They are pretty inexpensive and make the prep work a breeze.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 260kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 34mg, Sodium: 72mg, Potassium: 108mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 494IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 32mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

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Apple Pie Bars Recipe | My Baking Addiction (2024)

FAQs

Why is there so much juice in my apple pie? ›

One of the chief reasons bakers end up with apple soup under the crust is failure to bake their pie long enough. There's almost no such thing as over-baking an apple pie; I've baked apple pies for 2 hours and longer, and they turn out just fine.

Why did my apples turn to applesauce in my pie? ›

For example, sweeter apples tend to break down easier than their acidic partners. This means that apples like Red Delicious break down quickly, turning your pie into more of an applesauce than a delectable dessert.

When was apple pie invented? ›

According to Food52, apple pie originated in England. It arose from culinary influences from France, the Netherlands, and the Ottoman Empire as early as 1390—centuries before the Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock. Eventually, apple pie was brought to the colonies by European settlers, where the dish quickly caught on.

Why are apple pies popular? ›

Apple pie is traditionally associated with American patriotism and national identity. During World War II, soldiers famously claimed they were fighting for “mom and apple pie.” Since then, apple pie has become a symbol of family and home for many Americans.

How to fix watery apple pie after baking? ›

But if you bake your pie and it's STILL runny try letting it cool down (if you haven't yet) and it will likely thicken as it cools, put it back in the oven again to activate the thickener or drain off some of the liquid off and then put it back in the oven.

What happens if you don't put lemon juice in apple pie? ›

There is no need to add lemon juice to prevent discoloration when baking with apples. It won't hurt the filling to have the lemon juice in there, but tossing the apples in juice isn't necessarily benefiting the dessert, either.

What are the six ways you can ruin apple pie filling? ›

How to Ruin Apple Pie Filling
  • Choose the wrong apple variety. ...
  • Use overripe fruit. ...
  • Carelessly cut your apples. ...
  • Throw raw apples right in the pie crust. ...
  • Overdo the additions. ...
  • Skip the thickener. ...
  • Cut your pie too soon.
Mar 24, 2017

What apples should not be used for apple pie? ›

There are a few apples that don't make the cut. While great for snacking, Gala, Fuji and Red Delicious are the most common apples that won't hold up in the oven and will give you a watery-mushy pie, tart or cake.

How do I keep the bottom of my apple pie from getting soggy? ›

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 is the oldest pie in the world? ›

The Ancient Egyptians were the first to invent a dish close to what we know as a pie today. They had a honey filling covered in a crusty cake made from oats, wheat, rye or barley. A recipe for chicken pie was also discovered on a tablet carved prior to 2000 BC.

What is a fun fact about apple pie? ›

The origin of apple pie is about 600 hundred years ago in England. There was a recipe for it printed and the list of ingredients included apples, spices, dried fruits like raisins and pastry. The earliest apple pie recipes omitted one key ingredient – and that's sugar.

What is the oldest type of pie? ›

Egyptian “pies” were called galettes, with the crust consisting of ground oats, rye, wheat, or barley and contained honey on the inside. These pies were sweet in nature and evidence of them can be found on the tomb walls of the Pharaoh Ramesses II, who ruled from 1304-1237 BC.

What is the best apple pie in the United States? ›

Home of the award-winning Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag, The Elegant Farmer is noted by Gourmet Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Food Network and Milwaukee Magazine as having “the best pie in America.” The award-winning Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag has been the farmer's signature item for decades, baking over a ...

What is the most favorite pie in the world? ›

Apple Pie. Apple pie is arguably one of the most popular pie flavors. A symbol of America, the apple pie was actually invented by the British. Apple pie is simply made with sliced apples on double-crusted pastry dough.

Why does McDonald's apple pie taste so good? ›

Many pie fillings are made with a processed thickening agent that keeps the filling jelly-like and in place. But McDonald's uses a dehydrated apple powder. The powder not only thickens the filling, but it also adds that extra apple taste that you love.

How do you make an apple pie less juicy? ›

How can I thicken up an overly watery Apple pie filling? Cornstarch: Mix with cold water, add to filling, and cook until thick. Flour: Stir a few tablespoons into the filling. Tapioca: Use instant tapioca as a thickener.

How do you thicken runny apple pie filling? ›

All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you're sure to have it in your pantry. Since it's lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners. Quick-cooking tapioca makes filling bright and clear, but also gives it a stippled and somewhat sticky texture.

How do you know if apple pie filling is bad? ›

Indications that your canned apple pie filling has gone bad are: if the can is dented, leaking, rusted, or swollen; unusual odor; changes in color or texture. For homemade apple pie filling, look for mould, off smells, or discoloration. When in doubt, it's always safer to toss and start again.

How do you thicken the juice in an apple pie? ›

Cornstarch and sugar help thicken the juices into a gooey syrup, while lemon juice gives it a bright flavor.

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