Description
Learn how to make delicious Apple Pie Bars with this easy recipe! Perfect for any occasion, these bars are a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone wanting more.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) salt
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)*
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon (1 ml) ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup (43g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- 1/3 cup (70g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (31g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- homemade caramel sauce or store-bought caramel sauce
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 300°F (149°C). Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring there’s enough excess on all sides. Set it aside.
- For the crust, blend the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Incorporate the flour until the mixture is uniform. Spread this mixture evenly in the lined baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes, then take it out of the oven. (While the crust is baking, you can prepare the filling and topping.)
- To make the apple filling, toss the apple slices with flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl until they are well-coated. Set this mixture aside.
- For the streusel topping, combine oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a medium bowl. Work the cold butter into this mixture using a pastry cutter, forks, or your hands until it forms coarse crumbs. Set aside.
- Increase the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Arrange the apple mixture evenly over the warm crust. It may seem like too many apples, so pack them tightly and press down to fit. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the apple layer and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.
- Take it out of the oven and let it cool for at least 20 minutes at room temperature. Then, refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, or overnight. Use the parchment overhang to lift the dessert out of the pan and slice it into bars. I typically cut them into 16 smaller bars, but you can opt for 12 larger ones. Once sliced, drizzle each with caramel sauce. These apple pie bars are delightful whether served warm, at room temperature, or cold.
Notes
- Pack the apple slices tightly on the crust for a compact filling. Press down firmly to fit them all in.
- To achieve a crunchy streusel topping, work the cold butter into the oats, sugar, cinnamon, and flour mixture until it forms coarse crumbs.
- Refrigerate the baked bars for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld. Serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce for added sweetness.
