Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Apple Pie Bars are a delicious, portable version of traditional apple pie. They have a buttery, crumbly crust, a spiced apple filling, and a crumble topping that makes them irresistible. Here’s a simple recipe to make them:

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup cold butter (cut into cubes)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Apple Filling:

• 4-5 medium apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced) – Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup cold butter (cut into cubes)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

2. Make the Crust:

   • In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
   • Add the cold butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (you can use a pastry cutter or your fingers for this).
   • Beat the egg and vanilla extract together, then add it to the dough mixture. Stir until the dough just comes together.
   • Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use the back of a spoon to smooth it out.
   • Bake the crust for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

3. Prepare the Apple Filling:

   • In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir until the apples are well coated.
   • Pour the apple mixture evenly over the partially baked crust.

4. Make the Crumble Topping:

   • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
   • Add the cold butter and mix with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly.
   • Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling.

5. Bake the Apple Pie Bars:

   • Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the crumble topping is golden brown.
   • Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before cutting them into squares.

6. Serve:

   • Once cooled, cut the apple pie bars into squares and serve. You can top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence!

Tips:

• For a more decadent treat, add a few tablespoons of caramel sauce between the layers before baking.
• You can substitute the apples with pears or mixed berries for a different variation of the bars.

Enjoy your homemade Apple Pie Bars! They’re the perfect sweet treat for fall or any time of year.