Buttery Apple Pie Bars with a Flaky Crust Recipe

Introduction

These Buttery Apple Pie Bars combine a flaky, tender crust with a sweet and spiced apple filling for a delightful dessert. Easy to make and perfect for sharing, they bring all the flavors of classic apple pie in convenient bar form.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 to 5 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp works well)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for filling)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for filling)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• A pinch of ground cloves
• Optional Glaze:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cut in the chilled butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Step 3: Press about two-thirds of the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a base.
4. Step 4: In another bowl, toss the sliced apples with 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well coated.
5. Step 5: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust layer in the pan.
6. Step 6: Crumble the remaining crust mixture over the apples to form a topping.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden and apples are tender.
8. Step 8: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
9. Step 9: For the optional glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bars before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for a balanced flavor and better texture in the filling.
• Chill your butter well to ensure the crust remains flaky and buttery.
• For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top before baking.
• Try adding a splash of lemon juice to the apple filling to brighten the flavors.

Storage

Store apple pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave or a low oven to bring back the buttery texture before serving. The glaze is best added fresh after reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, you can use any variety you like, but combining tart apples like Granny Smith with sweeter ones such as Honeycrisp or Fuji will give the best flavor and texture.

How do I make sure the crust stays flaky?

Keep the butter chilled and work quickly when mixing it with the flour. Avoid overmixing to prevent warming the butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs helps achieve a flaky crust.

Buttery Apple Pie Bars with a Flaky Crust Recipe

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These Buttery Apple Pie Bars feature a flaky, buttery crust layered with a spiced apple filling and finished with an optional sweet glaze. Perfectly combining the classic flavors of apple pie in a convenient bar form, this recipe delivers a delicious dessert that’s easy to bake and share.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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For the Crust and Topping:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Apple Filling:

• 4 to 5 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp works well)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• A pinch of ground cloves

Optional Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the chilled, diced unsalted butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. This ensures a flaky texture.
2. Form the Base Layer: Reserve about 1 cup of the crust mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crust mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking pan to form the base. Make sure to pack it down firmly for a sturdy crust.
3. Prepare the Apple Filling: In a separate bowl, toss the sliced apples with 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves until well coated. This mixture will thicken as it bakes, helping to prevent sogginess.
4. Assemble the Bars: Evenly spread the spiced apple filling over the crust layer in the pan. Crumble the reserved crust mixture evenly over the apples to form the topping.
5. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking pan on the oven rack and bake for about 45 to 50 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
6. Optional Glaze: While the bars are cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing 1 cup powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or cream and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars for added sweetness and shine.
7. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into squares. This helps the filling set and prevents the bars from falling apart when cut.

Notes

• Use a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for balanced flavor.
• Chilling the butter helps create a flaky crust texture.
• The sprinkle of spices can be adjusted to taste or omitted if preferred.
• Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
• To reheat, warm a slice in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or until heated through.

Keywords: apple pie bars, flaky crust, spiced apple filling, dessert bars, homemade apple dessert, easy apple bars, apple spices