Feeling like munching on apple pie—well, who isn’t? Don’t worry if you don’t want to commit to baking a whole pie; these Flaky Apple Pie Bars are the answer! With all the flavors of an apple pie at hand, one may relish them like one novel bar-cookie treats: flaky short crust, sweetly spiced apple filling, and crumbles topping. They go with holidays potluck or just like an afternoon coffee treat; they are not difficult to make and can hardly disappoint. A delicious recipe is featured here today, embodying all the smiles and coziness of apple pie in every bite!
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Ingredients
For the Crust:
- All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups)
- Granulated sugar (¼ cup)
- Salt (½ tsp)
- Unsalted butter (1 cup or 2 sticks, cold and cubed)
- Ice water (6-8 tbsp)
For the Apple Filling:
- Apples (4 medium, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced; use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- Granulated sugar (½ cup)
- Brown sugar (¼ cup)
- All-purpose flour (2 tbsp)
- Ground cinnamon (1 ½ tsp)
- Ground nutmeg (¼ tsp)
- Lemon juice (1 tbsp)
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp)
For the Streusel Topping:
- All-purpose flour (1 cup)
- Rolled oats (½ cup)
- Brown sugar (½ cup)
- Ground cinnamon (½ tsp)
- Unsalted butter (½ cup or 1 stick, melted)
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough starts to come together but is still slightly crumbly.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or a flat spatula to ensure the crust is even and firm. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
In a large bowl, combine the thinly sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss the mixture until the apples are evenly coated.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust, pressing down gently with a spatula to create an even layer.
Step 3: Prepare the Streusel Topping
In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apple layer, pressing down lightly to adhere.
Step 4: Bake the Apple Pie Bars
Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares or bars and serve. Enjoy as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce!
Serving and Storage Tips
These apple pie bars should be served warm, or allowed to come to room temperature, and dusted with a little powdered sugar. Or better yet, they would be great with some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top.
Leftovers may be stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to five days.
For the freezer: Wrap the bars individually first in plastic wrap and kept in a freezer-safe bag for as long as two months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Helpful Notes
A mingling of sweet and tart apples like Granny Smiths and Honeycrisps will yield the best flavor.
I prefer using extremely cold butter and water, not handling the dough too much, so that the crust ends up being flaky.
Sprinkle 1/4 cup of nuts (pecans or walnuts) on top to enhance the streusel topping as well as provide a nice crunchy texture.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
Ina Garten suggests using a mix of both apple apple types to prove slurping a zweig or combination of complex flavors.
Martha Stewart suggests brushing the crust with an egg before baking, giving it a deep golden brown shine.
Ree Drummond says that drizzling caramel sauce just before consumption glides over the top and really makes the bars extra rich.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I use store-bought pie crust instead of creating my own?
Of course, you may switch out the hassle of making with an easier path using an emporium. Just press it into the pan for baking and bake according to the directions given.
What if I don’t have rolled oats?
Quick oats can simply replace rolled-oats, or you can omit them for an effortless streusel topping.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
For sure, any gluten-free flour mix is fine for the crust as well as the streusel topping.
How can I stop the crust from going soggy?
It’s better to prebake the crust before you load with apple filling; this way soggy features do not show up.
Topping up with different fruits would be enjoyable.
Oh, absolutely! It tastes just as well, if not better, with pears, peaches, or even mixed berries.
How will I know if the bars are done?
The bars are done when the topping turns golden, and at an insertion of a toothpick through the center, it comes out clean.
Do I need a pastry cutter?
No problem; instead, try using a pastry cutter or two knives or even a fork to incorporate the butter into the flour mixture. All that the butter should do is make the mixture crumble when pinched.
Can I add spices to the streusel topping?
Totally! Adding a pinch of allspice, cardamom, or even ginger will add a different alt flavor to the usual pursuit.
How do I keep the streusel from burning?
To avoid the streusel from darkening, make back an aluminum foil tent over it in the remaining ten minutes of baking in case it begins to turn brown sooner than scheduled.
Is it possible to render the recipe vegan?
You can easily become vegan by replacing the butter with an alternate preferred substitute. Also, a vegan pie crust will fill the requisite bootsuxarlos of this treat.
Enjoy these Flaky Apple Pie Bars as an exceptional dessert for any occasion. With its firm apple-pie influence and handheld portable repute, they are a win-win!
