These delightful apple pie bars offer all the classic flavors of a traditional apple pie in a convenient, shareable form.
They’re perfect for when you crave that warm, comforting apple dessert but don’t have the time for a full pie. This recipe simplifies the process, making it accessible for even the most novice bakers.
Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat for a weeknight dinner, a potluck contribution, or a simple dessert to enjoy with a cup of coffee, these apple pie bars are a fantastic choice. They deliver on taste and texture without requiring hours in the kitchen, proving that delicious homemade desserts can indeed be easy.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Easy Apple Pie Bars
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
These delightful apple pie bars offer all the classic flavors of a traditional apple pie in a convenient, shareable form. They’re perfect for when you crave that warm, comforting apple dessert but don’t have the time for a full pie. This recipe simplifies the process, making it accessible for even the most novice bakers.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Prepare your baking dish and oven: Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting later. This prevents sticking and makes serving a breeze.
2. 2. Lay out the bottom crust: Unroll one of the refrigerated pie crusts and carefully press it into the bottom of your prepared baking dish, gently easing it up the sides slightly. If the crust tears, simply press it back together with your fingers.
3. 3. Mix the apple filling: In a large bowl, combine the peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples with the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, all-purpose flour, and lemon juice. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated with the spice mixture. The flour helps to thicken the juices released by the apples during baking, preventing a watery filling.
4. 4. Assemble the bars: Pour the apple mixture evenly over the bottom pie crust in the baking dish. Make sure the apples are spread out in a relatively even layer.
5. 5. Add the top crust and decorative touches: Unroll the second pie crust. You can either place it whole over the apple filling, gently pressing the edges to seal with the bottom crust, or cut it into strips to create a lattice top for a more decorative look. If using a whole top crust, cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape during baking.
6. 6. Apply egg wash and sugar (optional): In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg. Brush the top crust generously with the beaten egg. This egg wash will give the crust a beautiful golden sheen. If desired, sprinkle the coarse sugar evenly over the top crust for added sparkle and a slight crunch.
7. 7. Bake to golden perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly. The apples should be tender when pierced with a fork.
8. 8. Cool before serving: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the baking dish on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This cooling time allows the filling to set properly, making for cleaner slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
Keywords: apple pie bars, apple dessert, easy dessert, fall dessert, comfort food, potluck, sweet treat, baking, fruit dessert, quick dessert
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true winner for anyone who loves the comforting taste of apple pie but needs a simpler, faster approach. It’s perfect for busy parents, new bakers, or anyone looking to whip up a crowd-pleasing dessert without a lot of fuss. The beauty of these apple pie bars lies in their convenience and versatility. They’re less intimidating than a full pie, easier to slice and serve, and incredibly portable, making them ideal for picnics, school lunches, or office potlucks. You get all the warm, spiced apple goodness nestled in a tender crust, but in a format that’s much more forgiving and quick to prepare. It’s a fantastic dessert for any occasion, from a casual family meal to a larger gathering where you want something universally loved.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start baking is a great way to ensure a smooth and stress-free cooking experience. This recipe uses common pantry staples that are easy to find at any grocery store.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 (14.1 ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
- 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (optional, for topping)
When it comes to the apples, a firm, slightly tart variety like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji works wonderfully to hold their shape and provide a nice balance to the sweetness. If you prefer a sweeter bar, you can opt for Gala or Golden Delicious. For the pie crusts, any brand of refrigerated, pre-made pie crust will do the trick, saving you a significant amount of time and effort. The spices are essential for that classic apple pie flavor, and you can adjust the amounts slightly to suit your taste. If you don’t have coarse sugar for the topping, a sprinkle of regular granulated sugar or even a drizzle of a simple glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a little milk) after baking would also be delicious.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and convenience, making it a perfect choice for when you need a delicious dessert without a long commitment.
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Baking time: 30-35 minutes
- Total time: 45-50 minutes
The hands-on work is minimal, primarily involving peeling and slicing the apples and assembling the bars. The baking time allows the apples to soften beautifully and the crust to turn golden brown and flaky. You’ll be enjoying these warm, comforting apple pie bars in under an hour!
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating these apple pie bars is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time.
- Prepare your baking dish and oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting later. This prevents sticking and makes serving a breeze.
- Lay out the bottom crust: Unroll one of the refrigerated pie crusts and carefully press it into the bottom of your prepared baking dish, gently easing it up the sides slightly. If the crust tears, simply press it back together with your fingers.
- Mix the apple filling: In a large bowl, combine the peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples with the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, all-purpose flour, and lemon juice. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated with the spice mixture. The flour helps to thicken the juices released by the apples during baking, preventing a watery filling.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the apple mixture evenly over the bottom pie crust in the baking dish. Make sure the apples are spread out in a relatively even layer.
- Add the top crust and decorative touches: Unroll the second pie crust. You can either place it whole over the apple filling, gently pressing the edges to seal with the bottom crust, or cut it into strips to create a lattice top for a more decorative look. If using a whole top crust, cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Apply egg wash and sugar (optional): In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg. Brush the top crust generously with the beaten egg. This egg wash will give the crust a beautiful golden sheen. If desired, sprinkle the coarse sugar evenly over the top crust for added sparkle and a slight crunch.
- Bake to golden perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly. The apples should be tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool before serving: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the baking dish on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This cooling time allows the filling to set properly, making for cleaner slices.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
These apple pie bars are wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you could add a handful of mini chocolate chips to the apple filling before baking, or serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you want to enhance the flavor, a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of ground ginger can be added to the apple mixture.
For a party or buffet, these bars are a fantastic option because they are easy to portion and eat without a fork. Consider serving them with a simple caramel sauce for drizzling, or a dollop of whipped cream. You could also sprinkle a few toasted chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before baking for added texture and nutty flavor. For a more autumnal feel, a touch of maple syrup in the apple filling or a maple glaze drizzled over the cooled bars would be delightful. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different apple varieties to find your favorite combination!
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple recipe, a few common mistakes can occur. Knowing how to avoid them will ensure your apple pie bars turn out perfectly every time.
One frequent issue is over-baking or under-baking the crust. If the crust is too dark before the apples are tender, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time. If the crust is pale but the apples are cooked, you might need to increase the oven temperature slightly next time or bake for a few extra minutes.
Another common mistake is a watery filling. This usually happens if the apples aren’t mixed with enough flour or if they release too much liquid. Ensure you use the specified amount of flour, which helps absorb excess moisture. Using slightly firmer apples can also help, as they tend to release less water. If your apples are particularly juicy, you can increase the flour by half a tablespoon.
Soggy bottom crust can also be a problem. To prevent this, make sure your oven is fully preheated, and consider baking the bars on a lower rack for the first part of the baking time to ensure the bottom crust gets enough heat. A light dusting of flour or breadcrumbs on the bottom crust before adding the filling can also act as a barrier.
Finally, slicing the bars too soon is a common impatience-driven error. The filling needs time to set as it cools. If you cut into them while they are still hot, the filling will likely ooze out, and the bars won’t hold their shape as well. Patience is key for neat, well-structured bars.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
These apple pie bars are best enjoyed within a few days of baking. To store them, allow them to cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, you can cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Alternatively, cut the bars into individual portions and store them in an airtight container. They will keep well at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Refrigerating can sometimes make the crust a little firmer, but warming them up will help restore some of their original texture.
If you want to make them ahead, you can prepare the apple filling and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Keep the pie crusts refrigerated separately. When you’re ready
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
