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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by lining a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and heating the oven to 375F (190C).
- Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, then incorporate cold butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add egg and vanilla extract to the flour mixture, gently blending until a cohesive dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two portions, pressing one half firmly into the prepared pan to create an even base crust.
- Partially bake the crust for 15 minutes until it begins to set and lightly golden.
- 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.
- Distribute the seasoned apple mixture uniformly across the partially baked crust, ensuring complete coverage.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the apple layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown color and bubbling edges.
- 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