Apple Pie Bars (With Pastry or Streusel Topping)

This apple pie bar recipe makes a 9×13 pan of bars that are like a giant apple pie. I like to overstuff the pie with apples and stick with a classic pastry topping. For those who like crumb topping, we include a streusel option.

We use apples in many of our favorite fall desserts. To speed up peeling and slicing, I recommend a crank apple peeler/corer/slicer. If you're using windfall apples or softer apples, hand peeling is best to make sure to remove any damaged bits.

How to Make Apple Pie Bars

To help prevent apple browning, place the peeled slices into cold water with some lemon juice. The recipe calls for eight large apples, but it's fine to use more. I like to stuff it with 8 to 10 cups of apple slices.

Keep your crust ingredients cool to help create a light and flaky crust. We prefer the taste of butter, but a shortening crust is a little easier to roll out. Lard is another option for making flaky pastry. We use duck eggs for baking, but of course chicken eggs work fine, too.

Ingredients

Pastry Crust

• 2½ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shortening or butter
• 2 eggs – keep one whole, separate one into yolk and white
• Milk – enough to make 2/3 cup

Apple Pie Filling

• 8 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 to 4 teaspoons milk

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.

Make the crust: Cut together flour, salt and shortening into pea sized bits. Beat egg and egg yolk lightly, and add enough milk to make 2/3 cup. Blend eggs and milk into flour mixture to form pie dough.

Roll out the crust into two 9×13 rectangles on lightly floured wax paper or pastry cloth. Line pan with one layer of crust.

Prepare the apple pie filling. Mix together apples, sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Spread over bottom crust in pan

Add the top crust and pinch to seal. Brush top crust with reserved beaten egg white. If you are concerned about the crust edges getting too brown, you can wrap them with foil.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 75 minutes, until top is golden brown and apple filling is bubbling. Remove from oven and cool. Allow the apple pie bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares or bars. This helps the bars set and makes for easier cutting.

Mix together icing ingredients and drizzle over bars. (I confess, we're not big on icing, so I usually skip this step.)

If you prefer streusel topping, reduce the crust recipe by half and use only the bottom crust. In a separate bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until crumbly. Sprinkle this streusel topping evenly over the apple filling before baking.

Choosing the Best Type of Apples

The best apples for apple pie bars are those that hold their shape and offer a sweet-tart flavor. Popular choices include Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Jonagold, or a combination of these for a balanced taste and texture.

That said, it's fine to use whatever apples you have on hand. The texture and flavor varies, but I have yet to try an apple pie bar I didn't like. Some orchards sell bags of mixed baking apples to provide different tastes and textures.

To Refrigerate or Not to Refrigerate

Store apple pie bars at room temperature for three to five days in an airtight container. If you plan to keep them longer, or if your kitchen is warm, it's best to refrigerate them. Refrigeration helps maintain their freshness and prevents the filling from spoiling. Simply bring the bars back to room temperature or warm them slightly before serving to enhance their flavors.

With a buttery crust and spiced apple filling, these bars are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Experiment with different apple varieties, and enjoy this recipe with family and friends.

Topping Options

If you like, you can dress up your apple pie bars by adding a delicious topping. Here are some options to consider:

1. Whipped Cream:
   • A classic choice, whipped cream adds a light and airy texture to the bars. You can use store-bought whipped cream or make your own by whipping heavy cream with a bit of sugar until stiff peaks form.
2. Caramel Drizzle:
   • Drizzling warm caramel over apple pie bars enhances their sweetness and adds a rich, buttery flavor. Consider making your own caramel sauce or using a high-quality store-bought version.
3. Vanilla Ice Cream:
   • The warm apple pie bars paired with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream create a delightful hot-and-cold contrast. The melting ice cream adds a luscious component to each bite.
4. Powdered Sugar Dusting:
   • A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness and a visually appealing finish to the bars. Use a fine-mesh sieve to evenly sprinkle the sugar over the top.
5. Maple Glaze:
   • Combine powdered sugar with a bit of maple syrup to create a simple glaze. Drizzle it over the cooled bars for a hint of maple sweetness.
6. Cream Cheese Frosting:
   • For a decadent twist, consider spreading a thin layer of cream cheese frosting over the cooled apple pie bars. The tanginess of the cream cheese complements the sweetness of the bars.

Feel free to mix and match these toppings or get creative with your own variations. Whether you opt for a classic choice like ice cream or try something new, your apple pie bars are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

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More Apple Recipes

Now that our apple trees are maturing, we have plenty of fruit for preserving and fresh eating. Some of our favorite apple desserts include:

Easy Apple Cake with Caramel Topping

Fried Apples with Maple Cinnamon Glaze

Apple Crisp (without oats)

Cranberry Apple Pie

Caramel Apple Cookies

Homemade Applesauce – so simple, so good!

This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie grew up in the kitchen, learning baking and home cooking from her momma. At age 15, she and her mom and two sisters created Irene’s Custom Cakes & Catering, which was her summer job through most of high school and college.