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Apple Pie Bars Recipe

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3.8 from 11 reviews

Delight in these classic Apple Pie Bars featuring a buttery crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and a crunchy pecan crumb topping. Perfect for sharing, these bars combine all the flavors of apple pie with the ease of bars, finished with a drizzle of caramel for an irresistible treat.

Ingredients

Crust

  • Cooking spray, for greasing
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Apple Filling

  • 6 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Crumb Topping

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted

For Serving

  • Caramel sauce, for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven and Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9″-x-13″ baking pan with parchment paper and grease it using cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bars. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and kosher salt and mix just until combined to form the dough.
  2. Bake the Crust: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan, extending it about 1/2 inch up the sides to form a crust. Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is lightly golden, approximately 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss together the sliced apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to ensure the apples are evenly coated with the flavorful mixture. Spread the apple filling evenly over the warm crust in the baking pan.
  4. Make the Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and a small pinch of salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until coarse clumps form, creating a crumbly topping mixture.
  5. Assemble and Bake: Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple layer. Return the pan to the oven and bake until the crumb topping is golden brown and the apples are tender, about 1 hour.
  6. Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes. Once cooled, slice into 18 squares, drizzle with caramel sauce for extra sweetness, and serve.

Notes

  • Choose tart but sweet apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of flavor and texture.
  • Make sure to cool the bars before slicing to prevent them from falling apart.
  • Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean-up.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the pecans from the crumb topping and add extra flour and brown sugar.
  • The bars can be warmed slightly before serving for a soft, freshly-baked feel.

Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/apple-pie-bars-recipe/