“Apple Pie Bars: A Perfectly Convenient Dessert for Any Occasion”
Apple pie bars are a delectable and convenient twist on the classic apple pie, offering all the flavors you love in a portable and easy-to-eat treat. These scrumptious bars feature a buttery crust, a flavorful apple filling, and a crumbly streusel topping that will leave you craving for more.
In this article, we will explore seven irresistible apple pie bar recipes that will take your taste buds on a delightful journey. From the classic and timeless version to creative twists that incorporate caramel, pecans, cream cheese, and oats, these recipes will allow you to indulge in the warm and aromatic goodness of apple pie in a convenient bar form. Get ready to satisfy your sweet cravings with these heavenly variations!
Table of Contents
Classic Apple Pie Bars:
Let’s start with the classic recipe for apple pie bars, which captures the essence of this beloved dessert in a delightful and portable form. Here’s how to make this timeless variation:
Ingredients: For the Crust and Streusel Topping
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Apple Filling
- 4 cups thinly sliced and peeled apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Step 5: Press two-thirds of the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust.
- Step 6: In another mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and fresh lemon juice.
- Step 7: Toss the apples until they are evenly coated with the sugar and spice mixture.
- Step 8: Spread the apple filling over the crust in the baking dish.
- Step 9: Crumble the remaining dough over the apple filling to create a streusel topping.
- Step 10: Bake the classic apple pie bars in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust and streusel topping are golden.
- Step 11: Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares. Enjoy the classic apple pie bars warm or at room temperature, and savor the delightful combination of sweet apples and buttery crust in each bite.
Caramel Apple Pie Bars:
Elevate the flavors of your apple pie bars by adding a rich and luscious caramel layer. This variation adds a luxurious and indulgent twist to the classic recipe, creating bars that are both sweet and heavenly. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients (in addition to the classic recipe)
- Store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
Instructions: Follow the steps of the classic apple pie bars recipe up to Step 8
- Step 9: Spread a layer of caramel sauce over the apple filling in the baking dish.
- Step 10: Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel layer to create a streusel topping.
- Step 11: Bake the caramel apple pie bars in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust and streusel topping are golden.
- Step 12: Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares. Enjoy the caramel apple pie bars warm or at room temperature, and indulge in the delightful combination of sweet apples, buttery crust, and luscious caramel in each bite.
Cream Cheese Apple Pie Bars:
Add a delightful and creamy twist to your apple pie bars by incorporating a cream cheese layer. This variation adds a rich and tangy element to the classic recipe, creating bars that are both indulgent and flavorful. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients (in addition to the classic recipe)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions: Follow the steps of the classic apple pie bars recipe up to Step 8
- Step 9: In a separate mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Step 10: Spread the cream cheese mixture over the apple filling in the baking dish.
- Step 11: Crumble the remaining dough over the cream cheese layer to create a streusel topping.
- Step 12: Bake the cream cheese apple pie bars in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust and streusel topping are golden.
- Step 13: Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares. Enjoy the cream cheese apple pie bars warm or at room temperature, and relish the delightful combination of sweet apples, tangy cream cheese, and buttery crust in each bite.
Apple Pecan Pie Bars:
Add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to your apple pie bars by incorporating chopped pecans into the filling. This variation adds a rich and satisfying element to the classic recipe, creating bars that are both indulgent and wholesome. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients (in addition to the classic recipe)
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions: Follow the steps of the classic apple pie bars recipe up to Step 8
- Step 9: Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the apple filling in the baking dish.
- Step 10: Crumble the remaining dough over the pecan layer to create a streusel topping.
- Step 11: Bake the apple pecan pie bars in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust and streusel topping are golden.
- Step 12: Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares. Enjoy the apple pecan pie bars warm or at room temperature, and savor the delightful combination of sweet apples, crunchy pecans, and buttery crust in each bite.
Oatmeal Apple Pie Bars:
Add a delightful and hearty twist to your apple pie bars by incorporating oats into the crust and streusel topping. This variation adds a chewy and nutty element to the classic recipe, creating bars that are both comforting and wholesome. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients (in addition to the classic recipe)
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
Instructions: Follow the steps of the classic apple pie bars recipe up to Step 4
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a soft and slightly crumbly dough forms.
- Step 6: Stir in the rolled oats until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Step 7: Press two-thirds of the oatmeal dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust.
- Step 8: Follow the remaining steps of the classic apple pie bars recipe (Steps 6 to 11).
- Step 9: Bake the oatmeal apple pie bars in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust and streusel topping are golden.
- Step 10: Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares. Enjoy the oatmeal apple pie bars warm or at room temperature, and delight in the delightful combination of sweet apples, chewy oats, and buttery crust in each bite.
Streusel-Topped Apple Pie Bars:
Embrace the crumbly goodness of streusel by creating an extra thick topping for your apple pie bars. This variation adds a delightful and textural element to the classic recipe, creating bars that are both rich and satisfying. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients (in addition to the classic recipe)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions: Follow the steps of the classic apple pie bars recipe up to Step 4
- Step 5: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon.
- Step 6: Stir in the melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 7: Press two-thirds of the streusel dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust.
- Step 8: Follow the remaining steps of the classic apple pie bars recipe (Steps 6 to 11).
- Step 9: Sprinkle the remaining streusel dough over the apple filling to create an extra thick streusel topping.
- Step 10: Bake the streusel-topped apple pie bars in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust and streusel topping are golden.
- Step 11: Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares. Enjoy the streusel-topped apple pie bars warm or at room temperature, and savor the delightful combination of sweet apples and crumbly streusel in each bite.
Dutch Apple Pie Bars:
Inspired by the comforting flavors of Dutch apple pie, this variation features a generous layer of crumbly streusel topping over a luscious apple filling. This recipe is perfect for those who love the combination of sweet apples and buttery crumbs. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients (in addition to the classic recipe): For the Crumb Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions: Follow the steps of the classic apple pie bars recipe up to Step 8
- Step 9: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon for the crumb topping.
- Step 10: Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms large crumbs.
- Step 11: Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish.
- Step 12: Bake the Dutch apple pie bars in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust and crumb topping are golden.
- Step 13: Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares. Enjoy the Dutch apple pie bars warm or at room temperature, and relish the delightful combination of sweet apples and buttery crumbs in each bite.
Apple pie bars offer a convenient and delightful way to enjoy the classic flavors of apple pie in a portable form. These seven irresistible apple pie bar recipes showcase the versatility and deliciousness of this beloved treat. Whether you prefer the classic version, the indulgent twist with caramel or cream cheese, the crunch of pecans or oats, the crumbly goodness of streusel, or the comforting flavors of Dutch apple pie, each bar offers a unique and delightful experience for your taste buds.
So, embrace the sweetness and buttery goodness of apple pie bars, and let these bars become your new favorite dessert or snack. Whether you enjoy them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce, each bite promises to bring a smile to your face and leave you craving for more. Click here and here to see another recipes. Happy baking and savoring the delightful flavors of apple pie bars!