Description
These Cozy Apple Pie Bars are a delightful twist on classic apple pie, featuring a buttery crumbly crust and topping encasing a luscious stovetop apple pie filling. Baked to golden perfection, these bars are perfect for sharing and bring all the comforting flavors of traditional apple pie in an easy-to-serve format.
Ingredients
Apple Pie Filling
- One batch stovetop apple pie filling, made and cooled (spread on sheet pan for quick cooling)
Crust and Topping
- 350g unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 165g granulated sugar
- 5g (1 tsp) vanilla bean paste
- 500g all-purpose flour
- 8g (2 tsp) baking powder
- 2g (½ tsp) kosher salt
- ½ tsp apple pie spice or cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13″ (20x30cm) nonstick pan, then line it with parchment paper extending up the sides to ease removal of the bars after baking.
- Cream Butter, Sugar, and Vanilla: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, cream together the room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla bean paste on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and apple pie spice (or cinnamon) to the creamed mixture. Mix until combined; the dough will appear crumbly but will come together when pressed.
- Prepare Base Layer: Remove 620g of the dough and transfer it to the prepared pan. Shake the pan gently to distribute the dough evenly. Press the dough firmly and evenly into the base of the pan using your hands, an offset spatula, or the bottom of a glass or measuring cup. Using parchment paper on top can help prevent sticking.
- Add Apple Pie Filling: Spread the cooled stovetop apple pie filling evenly over the pressed base layer, smoothing it with an offset spatula or spoon and ensuring the apple pieces are well distributed.
- Add Topping: Take the remaining dough, squeeze handfuls gently to bring it slightly together, and crumble it evenly over the apple filling layer to cover the surface.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the topping turns golden brown. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Slice: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cool, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out and place them on a cutting board. Cut into 24 servings with a sharp knife.
- Serve and Store: Optionally dust the serving pieces with icing sugar before serving. Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 5 days. Rewarm briefly before serving if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the apple pie filling is completely cooled before layering to prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
- If you do not have vanilla bean paste, use pure vanilla extract as a substitute.
- Apple pie spice can be replaced with ground cinnamon alone if preferred.
- Using parchment paper on top when pressing the dough helps prevent sticking and makes flattening easier.
- Bars can be chilled to firm up before cutting if desired.
- To maintain freshness, store bars in an airtight container either at room temperature or refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
