Apple Pie Bars

Posted on June 9, 2025

Pin

These apple pie bars start with a thick, golden shortbread crust. The shortbread is delicious on its own, but it makes the perfect base for the apple pie bars. Just like a classic apple pie, these bars are packed with sliced apples. The apples are covered in a caramel-spiced syrup and cooked until slightly soft. Then, the bars are topped with a spiced brown sugar crumble. It’s soft, spiced, and so tasty. When baked, the top gets slightly crisp while staying soft underneath.

In this recipe, we combine two favorite desserts: classic apple pie and shortbread. It’s like heaven in a bite! The apples are topped with a brown sugar cinnamon crumble, making everything better. These apple pie bars are packed with apple flavor and so tasty.

Tips for the Best Apple Pie Bars:

  1. Bake the Shortbread in Advance: We bake the shortbread before adding the apples and crumble. This ensures the crust stays golden and doesn’t get mushy. It’s similar to par-baking a pie crust before adding the filling. This method helps each component bake perfectly.
  2. Cook the Filling on the Stove: Cooking the apple filling on the stove for a few minutes before baking creates a sticky apple pie filling. This helps control the apple’s texture, ensuring they’re not too juicy and remain as bars after cutting.
  3. Pack on the Crumble: A spiced, brown sugar crumble adds extra flavor. To ensure a sweet, spiced crumble in every bite, we pack on a generous layer before baking. The crumble gets slightly crunchy on top while staying soft in the middle. A vanilla bean glaze on top after baking is the perfect finishing touch.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Apple Pie Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Category: Dessert

Ingredients

**Shortbread:**

  • – 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (about 28 ounces)
  • – 1/2 cup cornstarch (about 2.6 ounces)
  • – 1 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar (about 10.5 ounces)
  • – 2 cups salted butter (room temperature (4 sticks))
  • – 1 teaspoon salt

**Filling:**

  • – 6 tablespoons butter (3/4 stick)
  • – 6 large green apples (peeled, cored, and cut into 1/8-inch slices)
  • – 1/3 cup brown sugar (about 2.8 ounces)
  • – 1/3 cup white sugar (about 2.8 ounces)
  • – Zest of 1 lemon
  • – 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • – 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • – 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

**Crumb Topping:**

  • – 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (about 6.5 ounces)
  • – 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • – 3/4 cup brown sugar (about 5.6 ounces)
  • – 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)

**Glaze:**

  • – 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (about 8 ounces)
  • – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • – 2 tablespoons milk


Instructions

**Shortbread Layer:**

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. In a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (3-5 minutes on medium-high speed).
  3. Add the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Pulse until just combined.
  4. Pat the shortbread into a parchment-lined 9×13 inch pan until it forms an even layer.
  5. Bake for 45-55 minutes until golden brown (check after 35 minutes if using a metal pan).
  6. After baking, reduce the oven temperature to 300°F for baking the bars.

**Apple Pie Filling:**

  1. While the shortbread bakes, brown the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and toasty.
  2. Stir in the sugars, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla.
  3. Add the apple slices and lemon zest. Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until slightly softened. Set aside to cool.

**Crumb Topping:**

  1. In a bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
  2. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until large crumbs form. Set aside.

**Assembly:**

  1. Spread the apple pie filling evenly over the cooked shortbread.
  2. Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apple layer.
  3. Bake at 300°F for 30 minutes.
  4. Increase the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for an additional 15 minutes until golden brown.

**Glaze:**

  1. In a medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and vanilla. Gradually whisk in milk.
  2. Once the bars are cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top using a spoon or piping bag (a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off works too).

Tags:

You might also like these recipes

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star