Go Back
Apple Pie Bars

Apple Pie Bars Recipe

These apple pie bars are soft, buttery, and packed with cinnamon-spiced apples. A simple and delicious dessert that’s perfect for fall baking or holiday gatherings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Bars

Equipment

  • 9x13 baking pan (glass or metal works great)
  • Parchment paper for easy cleanup

Ingredients
  

For the crust:

  • 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

For the apple filling:

  • 5 medium apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • For the streusel topping:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

Step 1: Make the crust

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your 9x13 pan with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and salt until smooth.
  • Add the flour and mix until a soft dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Prepare the apple filling

  • While the crust bakes, toss the sliced apples with both sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Make sure the apples are evenly coated with all that cinnamon-sugar goodness.

Step 3: Assemble the bars

  • Spread the apple mixture evenly over the baked crust. Try to create an even layer for the best results.

Step 4: Make the streusel topping

  • In another bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. Stir until crumbly. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the apples, covering as much as possible.

Step 5: Bake

  • Bake the assembled bars at 350°F for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. The kitchen will smell heavenly at this point!

Step 6: Cool and serve

  • Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This helps them hold their shape. Serve as is, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.