Old-Fashioned Apple Pie Bars
These Apple Pie Bars are sweet, soft, and full of warm apple and cinnamon flavor. An easy homemade apple recipe that needs no rolling out dough—just press, layer, and bake! These dessert bars are a great treat for any fall gatherings.
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These are my go-to when apples are overflowing in the fruit bowl (or when I overdo it at the farmers market… again). They’re simple, not too sweet, and they make your kitchen smell like fall no matter what season it is.
It’s great served with vanilla ice cream or a whipped cream topping. And to balance out the sweets, check out my list of Fall Appetizer Recipes!
How to Make Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients you’ll need for the crust
Ingredients you’ll need for the filling
Ingredients you’ll need for the crumbly topping
Step by Step Guide
1. Preheat that oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper (makes cleanup way easier).
2. In a bowl, mix together the butter, vanilla, salt, and flour. Use a fork or pastry cutter until it’s all crumbly. Press it into your pan and pop it in the oven for 10 minutes.
3. Let the crust cool a bit while you prep the apple filling.
4. Peel (optional) and thinly slice your apples. Toss them in a bowl with the sugar, flour, lemon juice, and apple pie spice. Spread that over your cooled crust in a nice, even layer.
5. Now for the crumbly topping. Mix all the topping ingredients in a bowl with a fork or pastry cutter until you’ve got a crumbly texture. Sprinkle it all over the apple layer.
6. Bake for 30–35 minutes until the top is golden and those apples are bubbly and tender.
7. Let the bars cool down. Chill them in the fridge for 1–2 hours so they slice nicely.
Serve and Enjoy!
Cut into squares and enjoy!
Important Recipe Notes
- A mix of tart and sweet apples (like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp) adds great flavor and texture.
- You can leave the apple skins on for a more rustic feel or peel them for a softer texture.
- Make sure to chill the bars before slicing! – It helps the bars set so they cut cleanly and hold their shape.
- If your crust mixture feels too dry, add 1–2 teaspoons of cold water to help it come together.
- These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge. The flavors get even better!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. You can also freeze them for later.
Old-Fashioned Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust
- ½ cup unsalted butter , softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
For the Filling
- 4–5 small to medium apples
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp apple pie spice
For the Crumbly Topping
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat that oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper (makes cleanup way easier).
- In a bowl, mix together the butter, vanilla, salt, and flour. Use a fork or pastry cutter until it’s all crumbly. Press it into your pan and pop it in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Let the crust cool a bit while you prep the apple filling.
- Peel (optional) and thinly slice your apples. Toss them in a bowl with the sugar, flour, lemon juice, and apple pie spice. Spread that over your cooled crust in a nice, even layer.
- Now for the crumbly topping. Mix all the topping ingredients in a bowl with a fork or pastry cutter until you’ve got a crumbly texture. Sprinkle it all over the apple layer.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until the top is golden and those apples are bubbly and tender.
- Let the bars cool down. Chill them in the fridge for 1–2 hours so they slice nicely.
Check Out More Apple Recipe Ideas!
Creamy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel
