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Apple Pie Bars

Close-up of two delicious apple pie bars with a crumb topping on a white plate.
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Enjoy the classic flavors of apple pie in an easy-to-eat bar format. These bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, a cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and a crumbly streusel topping, making them a perfect fall dessert or bake sale treat.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (about 4 medium apples)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined to form a dough.
  4. Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
  5. In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until evenly coated.
  6. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.
  7. In the same bowl you used for the apples (no need to wash), combine the cold butter, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form.
  8. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apple layer.
  9. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
  10. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can add 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping.
  • These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They also freeze well for longer storage.
  • If you prefer a softer crust, you can slightly underbake the crust before adding the apple filling.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cutcooktaste.com/apple-pie-bars/