These apple pie bars take everything you love about a classic apple pie; warm spiced apples, buttery crust, and a crumb topping transformed into a dessert that’s easier to share.
The shortbread base bakes up crisp and tender, a filling of thin-sliced apples tossed in sugar and cinnamon, and a rustic oat-and-brown-sugar crumb on top, this bar cookie lands somewhere between between homestyle goodness and a unique twist to a fall classic. It’s the kind of dessert you’ll feel great about bringing to an autumn gathering, a weekend treat, or as an after school snack.
Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just for yourself, these bars have the warm, nostalgic flavor of apple pie without rolling dough or crafting attempting to create a lattice top (that I have yet to master). I love to slice this treat while it’s still slightly warm, maybe add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel, to enjoy one of the best fall comfort foods.
Difficulty Level: easy
Ingredients
- 200 g (1 cup) butter, unsalted, softened
- 100 g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
- 120 g (1 cup) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 large apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 100 g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 30 g (1/4 cup) all-purpose flour
- 60 g (1/3 cup) rolled oats
- 60 g (1/3 cup) brown sugar, packed
- 45 g (3 tablespoons) butter, unsalted, melted
Nutrition
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 200 g of softened butter until creamy. Add in 100 g of granulated sugar and 120 g of powdered sugar; beat until light and fluffy.
- Mix in 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Gradually add 250 g of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Beat until the mixture forms a dough.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- In a separate bowl, combine the apple slices with 100 g of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon until the apples are well coated.
- Layer the apple mixture evenly over the baked crust.
- In another bowl, mix 30 g of flour, 60 g of rolled oats, 60 g of brown sugar, and 45 g of melted butter until the mixture is crumbly.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple layer. (Sprinkle powered sugar for an added visual touch.)
- Bake for 45 minutes or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.