Irresistibly Flaky Apple Pie Bars Recipe: Homemade Goodness

Crafting delectable flaky apple pie bars brings pure joy to weekend baking adventures.

Sweet autumn aromas will dance through your kitchen as golden pastry meets tender fruit.

Buttery layers promise a delightful dessert that feels both rustic and elegant.

Home cooks adore this simple twist on classic pie traditions.

Crisp apples, warm spices, and a crumbly crust create a mouthwatering treat everyone adores.

Each bite tells a story of comfort and homemade happiness.

You’ll want to savor every delicious morsel of this irresistible seasonal delight.

Flaky Apple Pie Bars: Highlights

• Craft a Spicy Flavor Explosion: Dive into a zesty Cajun-inspired dish that brings bold, exciting tastes to your dinner table with minimal effort.
• Streamline Your Cooking Process: Prepare a complete meal in one skillet, saving time on cooking and cleanup while creating a satisfying, protein-packed dinner.
• Customize with Ease: Swap out shrimp for chicken or andouille sausage, making this recipe incredibly versatile for different taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Family-Friendly Comfort: Enjoy a hearty, delicious meal that appeals to both adults and kids, packed with familiar ingredients and comforting flavors that everyone will love.

Ingredients For Flaky Apple Pie Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: A classic ingredient that provides structure and texture to the pie bars.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning the crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the pie bars.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, flaky texture in the crust and topping.
• Large Egg: Helps bind the dough together and adds richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, aromatic flavor to the crust.

• Apples: The star ingredient that brings a sweet and tangy flavor to the bars.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth of sweetness and helps caramelize the apples.
• Ground Cinnamon: A warm spice that complements the apples perfectly.
• Ground Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, earthy warmth to the filling.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the apple mixture and prevent excess liquid.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps prevent the apples from browning.

• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal of the bars from the pan and prevents sticking.

How To Prepare Flaky Apple Pie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal later.

Step 2: Create Buttery Crust Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Salt

Use a pastry cutter or cold fork to incorporate butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Step 3: Form Initial Crust Layer

Press half of the prepared dough evenly into the lined baking pan, creating a solid foundation for the bars. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly set and pale golden.

Step 4: Prepare Spiced Apple Filling

• Sliced apples
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Cornstarch
• Fresh lemon juice

Gently toss ingredients until apples are completely coated with the sweet and aromatic mixture.

Step 5: Layer Apple Filling

Spread the spiced apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.

Step 6: Add Crumble Topping

Crumble the remaining dough over the apple layer, creating a rustic and textured top that will become deliciously golden when baked.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Look for a beautiful golden-brown color across the surface, indicating the bars are fully cooked.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Allow the apple pie bars to cool completely in the pan.

This helps them set and makes cutting into clean, beautiful squares much easier. Slice and serve at room temperature.

Tips For Flaky Apple Pie Bars

• Opt for cold butter when cutting into the dough to ensure maximum flakiness and a tender crust.
• Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of flavor and texture in the filling.
• Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to help them set and make slicing easier without crumbling.
• Enhance the apple mixture by adding a pinch of ground ginger or a splash of bourbon for extra depth and warmth.
• Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.

Flavor Options For Flaky Apple Pie Bars

• Rustic Berry Blast: Replace apples with mixed berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a vibrant summer dessert.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans and drizzle caramel sauce over the top layer for extra richness and texture.
• Tropical Paradise: Swap apples with diced mangoes and pineapples, adding a hint of coconut extract to the dough for a Hawaiian-inspired treat.
• Spiced Pear Sensation: Use ripe pears instead of apples, incorporating cardamom and ginger for a warm, aromatic flavor profile.

Suggested Serving Ideas For Flaky Apple Pie Bars

Cozy Dessert Companion: Serve these apple pie bars with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a classic comfort combination that melts perfectly over the warm, spiced bars.

Rustic Brunch Delight: Pair these bars with a steaming mug of cinnamon coffee or a creamy chai latte for a weekend morning treat that feels like a warm hug.

Picnic Perfect Snack: Pack these bars in individual wraps for outdoor gatherings, school lunches, or road trips – they’re portable, delicious, and easy to enjoy anywhere.

Elegant Dessert Plating: Dust the bars with powdered sugar, drizzle with caramel sauce, and garnish with a tiny mint leaf for an Instagram-worthy presentation that looks as good as it tastes.

Storage Tips For Flaky Apple Pie Bars

• Store apple pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual bars or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for long-term storage.
• Keep bars at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon. Place in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen bars in the oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes to restore their crispy texture and enhance flavors.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, you can use any firm baking apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. Each variety will add a slightly different flavor and texture to the bars.

• How do I know if the crust is properly baked?

Look for a light golden color around the edges. The crust should be firm to the touch but not dark brown. This typically takes about 15 minutes in the oven.

• Is it necessary to use cornstarch in the apple filling?

Cornstarch helps thicken the apple filling and prevents it from becoming too watery. It ensures a more stable and less runny dessert bar.

Flaky Apple Pie Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent flaky apple pie bars blend buttery pastry with spiced apple filling for a delightful dessert. Warm cinnamon and crisp apples create a comforting treat you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 5 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2 1/2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by lining a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and heating the oven to 375F (190C).
2. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, then incorporate cold butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add egg and vanilla extract to the flour mixture, gently blending until a cohesive dough forms.
4. Divide the dough into two portions, pressing one half firmly into the prepared pan to create an even base crust.
5. Partially bake the crust for 15 minutes until it begins to set and lightly golden.
6. While the crust bakes, create the apple filling by tossing sliced apples with brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and fresh lemon juice to prevent browning and enhance flavor.
7. Distribute the seasoned apple mixture uniformly across the partially baked crust, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Crumble the remaining dough over the apple layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
9. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown color and bubbling edges.
10. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into bars, which helps the filling set and makes clean slicing easier.

Notes

• Keep butter cold and cut into small cubes for the ultimate flaky, tender crust that crumbles perfectly in your mouth.
• Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape and provide a nice balance to the sweet crumble topping.
• Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make this dessert accessible for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising texture.
• Prepare the bars a day in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature, allowing flavors to meld and develop a richer taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 270 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg