Description
Deliciously tender apple pie bars featuring a buttery crust, spiced apple filling, and a crunchy oat streusel topping. Perfect for an easy dessert that combines the comforting flavors of a classic apple pie in convenient bar form.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
- 3 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir in 2 cups of all-purpose flour until fully combined into a dough. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden, then set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss peeled and thinly sliced apples with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour to coat the apples evenly and absorb excess moisture.
- Assemble Apple Layer: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust in the baking pan, ensuring an even layer.
- Make Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour. Stir in 1/4 cup melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apple layer. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the apples are tender and the topping turns golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set properly before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy your homemade apple pie bars!
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture.
- Make sure to peel and slice apples uniformly for even cooking.
- Let the bars cool completely to ensure clean cuts and proper set.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
