Description
Delicious Apple Pie Bars with a buttery shortbread crust, a perfectly spiced apple filling, and a crunchy oatmeal streusel topping. These bars combine the best elements of classic apple pie into an easy-to-make dessert, perfect for serving with vanilla bean ice cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Crust
- 1 1/4 cup softened, unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Apple Pie Filling
- 6-8 apples (~3 lbs) mix of Granny Smith and Pink Lady, cored, peeled, thinly sliced (~1/4 inch thick)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
- 1 lemon, juiced (~2 Tbsp)
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water, as needed
Streusel Topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick cook)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chilled, unsalted butter cut into cubes
Instructions
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in chilled cubed butter with fingertips until mixture clumps together. Cover and refrigerate while preparing crust and filling.
- Make Shortbread Crust: In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt, and cinnamon. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy. Add vanilla extract, then gradually add dry ingredients on low speed. Press dough evenly into a 9×13 inch oven-safe baking dish. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Bake Crust: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the chilled crust for 18 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice and cornstarch together. Add this to apples and mix well. Transfer apple mixture to a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples soften. Add water as needed to prevent burning.
- Assemble Bars: Spread cooked apple filling evenly over baked shortbread crust. Sprinkle chilled streusel topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake Bars: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until streusel is golden and apples are bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow apple pie bars to cool completely before slicing into 12 large bars. Serve plain or with vanilla bean ice cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- These bars feature a buttery shortbread crust with a classic apple pie filling and crunchy oatmeal streusel topping for a perfect textural contrast.
- Use a mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Pink Lady apples to balance flavor and sweetness.
- Chilling the crust before baking prevents shrinking and helps achieve a tender texture.
- The cornstarch and lemon juice mixture thickens the apple filling for perfect consistency.
- Serve bars with vanilla bean ice cream to complement the warm spices and buttery crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large bar
- Calories: 629 kcal
- Sugar: 59 g
- Sodium: 214 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 94 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 71 mg
