Sweet and Crispy Apple Pie Bars for Cozy Days
These Apple Pie Bars are a delightful twist on traditional apple pie, featuring spiced apples in a buttery crust.
Equipment
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour the foundation for a perfectly flaky crust.
- ¼ teaspoon salt balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened ensures a rich, buttery taste in every bite.
- ½ cup granulated sugar sweetens the crust just right.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
For the Apple Filling
- 4 medium-sized apples (preferably Granny Smith) tart apples make for a delectable contrast against the sweetness.
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar enhances the natural sweetness of the apples.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon gives that classic, cozy apple pie flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg a little goes a long way to deepen flavor complexity.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice brightens the apples and prevents browning.
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch helps thicken the filling for a perfect texture.
Optional Topping
- ¼ cup caramel sauce drizzle for an indulgent, sweet finish.
Instructions
Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Apple Pie Bars
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish by greasing it with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour with ¼ teaspoon of salt.
- In another large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and ½ cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter-sugar mixture, stirring until a crumbly dough forms.
- Press about two-thirds of the dough into the bottom of the greased baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, toss the sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch until well-coated.
- Spread the coated apple mixture evenly over the pressed crust in the baking dish.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the top of the apple layer.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
- Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving, if desired.
Notes
Use tart apples, like Granny Smith, for the best flavor. Allow bars to cool completely for easy slicing.
Nutrition
Serving: 1barCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
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