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Apple Pie Bars

Apple Pie Bars

The ultimate comfort food, Apple Pie Bars combine tender, spiced Granny Smith apples with a buttery crust and crumbly topping. Perfect for any fall gathering, these easy-to-make bars are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Try them tonight!
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Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 48 bars
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 0.75 cups granulated white sugar
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into pieces
  • 0.5 cups light brown sugar packed
  • 6 pounds Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored and thinly sliced)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 cups water as necessary
  • 3 cups quick cooking oats
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups light brown sugar packed
  • 1.25 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1.5 cups unsalted butter cut into cubes and chilled

Equipment

  • Frying Pan
  • Baking Sheet
  • Peeler
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Chef's Knife
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet or jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat unsalted butter with granulated white sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  3. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually beat in all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and kosher salt until a soft dough forms.
  4. Press the dough evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan and ½ inch up the sides to form a crust.
  5. Bake the crust in the center of the oven for about 15 minutes, or until golden and set. Let cool on a rack.
  6. Meanwhile, in a very large, deep skillet, melt the remaining unsalted butter with light brown sugar.
  7. Add the thinly sliced Granny Smith apples to the skillet and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes.
  8. Stir in the ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg, cooking for an additional 10 minutes until caramelized and very tender.
  9. Let the apple filling cool while you prepare the topping. In a large bowl, combine quick cooking oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and kosher salt.
  10. Using your fingers, squeeze the chilled unsalted butter into the oats and sugar mixture. Crumble it together until it resembles coarse meal.
  11. Spread the apple filling evenly over the cooled crust. Scatter the crumble topping over the apples.
  12. Bake the assembled bars for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown. Let cool completely on a rack before cutting into 2-inch squares.

Notes

  • Using the Right Pan: The 12x17-inch rimmed baking sheet (half sheet pan) works best for this recipe. If you don’t have one, you can use smaller pans.
  • Feeding a Crowd: This recipe makes a large quantity, so make sure you have plenty of people to share it with!
  • Storage: The bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 days or frozen for up to a month.