These Apple Pie Bars have all the vibes of an apple pie, with far less effort! Combining an easy base recipe that also acts as a crumb topping and a quick homemade apple pie filling, these are the perfect any time dessert!
Hi hi! I am just popping in to share the recipe for these apple pie bars! These are SO GOOD. They have a buttery base which also becomes the topping, and a super delicious homemade apple pie filling. They look fancy but they are super easy to put together.
These are a great option if you're after an apple pie vibe without the fuss of a full apple pie - they are the perfect make-ahead dessert, and everyone that tried them during the recipe testing process loved them so much.
Two components, but three layers
The best part about these apple pie bars is that the buttery crust is both the base of the bars, and the topping. There is no par-baking required, you can just assemble it all in one go.
If required, you can make the apple pie filling ahead of time and either freeze it or refrigerate it until you are ready to use it - there are tips in the apple pie filling post on that.
Make sure that you allow enough time for the bars to completely cool so that they aren't too fragile when you are removing them from the pan.
Tips and tricks for cutting nice even squares
This may seem like a no-brainer but I get asked it all the time - how do you get such nice cuts?
I use a sharp chef's knife with a long blade (30cm) on it. I also use a ruler which is a mega nerd method, but seems to work the best for me - it will always be more accurate than eyeballing it.
Work out how many pieces you want to cut your apple pie bars into before cutting, a mid-cut decision is always going to be messy.
❤️ Made this recipe and love it? ❤️
I would LOVE for you to leave me a review and star rating below to let me know how you liked it! Also, please make sure to tag me on Instagram!
Answers to your baking questions
Over the years, many of you have asked me questions about:
- baking in grams
- adjusting oven temperatures
- what kind of salt to use
- and many more!
I've curated and answered them all for your easy reference in this frequently asked questions post!
Cozy Apple Pie Bars
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Bars and Slices
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Apple Pie Bars have all the vibes of an apple pie, with far less effort! Combining an easy base recipe that also acts as a crumb topping and a quick homemade apple pie filling, these are the perfect any time dessert!
Ingredients
Apple Pie Filling
- One batch of stovetop apple pie filling, made and cooled (place onto a sheet pan and spread out for quick cooling)
Apple Pie Bars Base and Topping
- 350g unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 165g granulated sugar
- 5g (1 tsp) vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 500g all-purpose flour
- 8g (2 tsp) baking powder
- 2g (½ tsp) kosher salt
- ½ tsp apple pie spice or cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°f /180°c. Grease a 9x13" (20x30cm) nonstick pan and line with parchment paper, extending up towards the sides to help remove the bars once cool.
APPLE PIE BARS BASE
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using an electric hand mixer in a medium bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice and mix to combine - the mix will look quite crumbly, but will come together once pressed into the pan.
- Remove 620g of the mixture and place into the prepared pan - the remainder will be used for the topping.
- Shake the pan around slightly so that the base mixture is evenly distributed over the base of the pan. Using your hands, the bottom of a glass or measuring cup or an offset spatula, press the base mixture evenly into the pan, flattening it down as best you can. I like to do the edges with an offset spatula and then do the rest with my hands and finish off with a glass or measuring cup to make sure that it is flat. If you are having problems with it sticking or coming away, you can place a piece of parchment paper over the base and flatten it through the paper.
ASSEMBLY
- Once your base is flat, add the cooled apple pie filling on top and smooth out with an offset spatula or spoon, making sure that the pieces of apple are relatively evenly distributed.
- Top with the remaining base mixture, squeezing each handful in your hand to bring it together slightly then crumbling the dough over the surface of the bars. Try to get an even coverage of your dough over the top of the bars.
- Bake the bars for about 45 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown. If you find that the topping is browning too quickly, tent the pan with foil.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan. You can either chill them or cut them room temperature. Use the parchment paper to remove the apple pie bars from the pan, and place onto a cutting board. Cut into pieces using a sharp knife. Dust with icing sugar before serving if desired (only dust the pieces you are serving).
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Briefly re warm before serving if desired.
Comments
caribou says
Thank you for such a great recipe! It works perfectly.
Lindy says
These turned out delicious! Even subbing gluten free flour (a good blend with xanthan gum), these came out buttery and tender with a delicious apple forward filling.
Erin Clarkson says
Yayyyy so so happy you loved - so happy to hear they can be made gluten free too!
Maureen says
I was going to ask this, thanks for the review!
Kate says
Wow! I didn’t have it in me to faff with pie crust this Thanksgiving so decided to make these bars and am so glad I did. An easy and delicious alternative to pie. I used a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples. Thank you, Erin, another winner!
R says
These look delicious! I can't wait to make them. Just want to know can we freeze them once they are made?
Just thinking ahead and want to have a few options for make ahead treat boxes that I can pull out ready to go.
Thank you 🙂
Erin Clarkson says
Hi I haven't tested this sorry, I worry that they would go a little soggy when they are defrosted?
Josephine Mullane says
As delicious as these Apple Pie Bars were they tasted like Apple Crumble. And Apple Crumble is so much easier to make. I also found there was too much dough for the amount of apples and I could hardly taste the apple filling. Would it be possible to make this recipe in an 8 x 8 baking pan and reduce the amount of dough by 1/3?
Faith says
This was amazing! Thank you so much! I have it saved 🙂 I don’t even like apple pie that much but I made these for my husband and I actually enjoying them as well. Changed my mind!
Hannah says
Made these and brought them to a friends potluck.. they were such a hit!
Charlotte says
This was so yum. Also very easy-made the filling one night then the pie bars the next. Delicious! Will definitely make again.
Maria says
Not normally a fan of apple pie but I thought I’d give them a try and they came out fabulous! It was quick and simple to make along with the apple filling. They will be on rotation from now on!
Sabrina says
Such a good recipe! It's a crowd pleaser and an awesome apple pie alternative. Way easier, and just as buttery and delicious as pie. Thank you for all your fantastic recipes ❤️
Tori says
I guess my butter was extra fluffy because I had a little trouble crumbling the top at first. I gave it a few minutes in the fridge to firm back up a bit and then scraped at it with a fork to break it up before trying to crumble it on top again. Worked great!
Jo says
Buttery and tender. Perfect as a snack but also delicious warm with ice cream for dessert. Thanks for another delicious recipe!