A shortbread crust topped with apples and finished with a buttery crumb topping transforms classic apple pie into apple pie bars.
Fall is just around the corner and I’m dreaming of pumpkin and apple desserts. It’s my favorite time of the year, the leaves changing colors, pumpkin picking, Halloween, brisk days, hayrides and everything in between. As we slowly transition from summer, to back to school and then into fall, I’m kicking off the season with my apple pie bars.
These apple pie bars begin with a shortbread crust, a buttery pastry that has a slightly crisp texture, that only requires 5 ingredients and is par-baked for 15 minutes. This buttery crust is then topped with a delicious apple pie filling. However, unlike store bought filling, this homemade apple filling is packed with a cinnamon sugar flavor and still has a slightly crisp texture that complements the crust. And if that isn’t enough, these apple pie bars are finished with a buttery crumb topping. Together, these three layers create the perfect twist on a classic apple pie.
The best apples to use for baking
Apples can be used in a variety of baked goods, such as in blueberry apple pie, strudel, muffins, crisps and tarts. However, when it comes to baking, it’s very important for apples to maintain their structure (because no one wants to bite into an apple pie whose apples have turned to mush). For this reason, not all apples are created equal. Of course flavor is extremely important as well, so always select your favorite flavor baking apples. I normally opt for a mixture of Granny Smith apples with Fuji apples to give that sweet and tart flavor. Here are some apples you can choose from:
Granny Smith Apples
These are a go-to apple for baking. They are tart and balance out the sweetness from the added sugar. Additionally, granny smith apples keep their shape when they are baked. They can be used on their own or mixed with another apple variety.
Braeburn
This type of apple is crisp yet juicy and holds up especially well when baked. It’s flavor is a mix of tart and sweet making it a delicious baking apple. The reddish exterior with stripes of yellow and green makes for a beautiful presentation.
Fuji
Fuji apples are quite popular for snacking on. They tend to be large, juicy and crisp all the while maintaining their structure when baked. They have a honey sweet flavor that is excellent for desserts.
Honeycrisp
The honeycrisp is extremely versatile and a dessert winner. It’s crisp texture holds up very well in baking. Its flavor is sweet with a hint of honey, as the name suggests, but still a mild apple
Jonagold
These apples are the perfect combination of sweet and tart. Their crisp texture holds up well in the oven. Their peak season is early in the fall, so they are best when used during that time of year.
Assembling apple pie bars
When making these apple pie bars, it is important to spend a little extra time on layering your apple pie filling. This will ensure that you have a nice, even layer of apples which will not only look better, but allow you to slice your bars much more easily. I highly recommend slicing your apples thin (1/8-inch) to make this process much simpler. Once your shortbread crust is baked and your apple pie filling is prepared, carefully layer the apples on top of the shortbread crust tightly and evenly to avoid any gaps between the apples. When apples are baked in the oven they tend to shrink a bit, so by individually layering your apples tightly, you avoid any huge gaps created through baking. Additionally, tightly packed apples creates a sturdier center layer.
How to serve apple pie bars
These apple pie bars are delicious served just as they are made. If you prefer larger servings, I suggest slicing the chilled apple pie bars into 9 servings. For a smaller serving cut into 16 squares. They can be eaten chilled, at room temperature, or warmed. For added indulgence, I highly recommend a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce. First cut into desired serving size, and then drizzle bars with caramel sauce just before serving. If you opt for topping the bars with ice cream, I would suggest warming the bars slightly before adding a scoop of your favorite ice cream (vanilla bean ice cream goes wonderfully).
Enjoy these bars. Happy Baking!
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Apple Pie Bars
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 9 large bars 1x
Description
A shortbread crust topped with apples and finished with a buttery crumb topping transforms classic apple pie into apple pie bars.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 3 medium apples, peeled and sliced 1/8-inch thick
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
Shortbread Crust
- 1 stick (113 g) unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1/3 cup (67 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
Streusel
- 3/4 cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup (70) packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- caramel sauce, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper allowing it to overhang on all sides. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine apples, lemon juice and granulated sugar. Allow to sit while you make the shortbread crust, stirring occasionally.
For the shortbread crust
- In a medium bowl, using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together and mix on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla and mix until combined. Add the flour and salt and mix until combined and no longer crumbly (the dough will start to come together). Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
For the apple filling
- In a medium sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for 2 minutes. Add the juice from the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix well. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer 2 minutes or until juices are thick and a caramel-like consistency. Toss in the apples and continue to sauté for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
For the streusel topping
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, walnuts, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the melted butter until mixture is thick and crumbly.
- Layer the apples tightly and evenly over the shortbread crust to avoid any gaps between the apples.
- Sprinkle the apple layer with the streusel and bake for 30–35 minutes or until the streusel is golden brown.
- Remove bars from the oven and allow to cool 30 minutes on a wire rack and then transfer to chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Cut into 9 bars and serve cold, at room temperature or slightly warmed. If desired, drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving.
Keywords: apple pie bars, fall dessert, apple pie
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