Description
Homemade Apple Pie Bars bring classic American dessert flavors into a convenient handheld treat. Buttery pastry and cinnamon-spiced apples create a delightful balance you will savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups apples, peeled and diced
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup ice water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Craft the pastry base by blending flour, chilled butter, salt, and sugar in a food processor until texture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually introduce ice water until dough coheres.
- Divide dough into two equal portions, encase in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for half an hour to firm up the texture.
- Create apple filling by combining sliced apples with sugar, aromatic spices, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Allow mixture to macerate for 10 minutes, enabling flavors to meld.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Retrieve chilled dough and roll first portion to fit a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, ensuring even coverage.
- Distribute apple mixture uniformly across the bottom crust, maintaining consistent thickness.
- Roll second dough portion and carefully layer atop the filling, crimping edges to seal and prevent leakage.
- Create decorative venting by piercing top crust with small knife slits to release steam during baking.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and filling bubbles slightly around edges.
- Remove from oven and allow complete cooling on wire rack for optimal setting.
- Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla until silky smooth.
- Drizzle glaze artfully across cooled bars, allowing it to set for several minutes before slicing.
- Cut into rectangular portions and serve at room temperature.
Notes
- Chill dough thoroughly to ensure maximum flakiness and prevent shrinking during baking.
- Let apple mixture rest to release excess moisture, preventing soggy bottom crust.
- Use cold butter and ice water for creating ultra-crispy, tender pastry layers.
- Experiment with different apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for varied texture and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 55 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg