These sweet, warm apple pie bars are the perfect holiday treat!
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One of my favorite things to do in the cool fall and winter months is to take a trip to the mountains. I love the Blue Ridge Mountains the most. My family is from the area and I have lots of memories from the many trips we’ve taken there.
The crisp, cool air. Fall leaves. The big, beautiful mountains. Delicious southern food. Being there is just so peaceful. It seems like all of life’s worries seem to disappear for a brief moment while you’re there.
I can still remember the smell of my great-grandparent’s cute little home up there. We ride by that house sometimes when we visit to get a glimpse of the stories we’ve heard and sweet memories that were once made there.
There’s a beautiful apple orchard up there that we absolutely love! They have all the best apple treats!
We go there each time we visit and get all the apple goodies we can stand! Apple pies, apple cider donuts, apple fritters, apple cider, apple butter, delicious granny smith apples, and the list goes on.
The fact that we only get to indulge in those sweet apple desserts only once a year makes them taste even that much better!
That’s also why I enjoy making my own apple treats at home.
This apple pie bar recipe makes me feel like I’m right back in the Blue Ridge mountains with each bite. Plus, it makes my house smell amazing!
Don’t let the list of ingredients fool you. This recipe is simple to make!
Here are some tips to help make baking these apple pie bars a little easier.
Before you begin, sit out all ingredients so they will be close by when you need them.
Sit out all measuring devices, mixing bowls, a cutting board, and utensils beforehand to keep from having to search for something while you’re baking.
Use a potato peeler to peel your apples faster.
Prepare the topping mixture and filling (flour, sugars, and apple pie spice) before you begin so they’re mixed and ready when you need them.
How to make them
In a large bowl, add flour, powdered sugar, salt, and melted butter. Use a fork and your fingers to mix ingredients together. Mix just until all ingredients are combined.
Divide the dough into two equal parts. Press one-half of the dough evenly into the baking dish using your fingers.
Peel and dice the apples and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the vanilla to the apples and stir.
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, brown sugar, and apple pie spice together. Pour mixture over apples and mix until apples are coated.
Pour the apple mixture over the prepared crust and spread evenly.
Using the other half of the dough, crumble it over the top of the apple mixture and lightly press it.
Combine the sugar and cinnamon together for the topping. Sprinkle as much or as little as you want on top of the crust. You can brush the top with melted butter first.
Bake for 50 min to an hour. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool before cutting.
Whisk together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk to thin it out. Drizzle over bars.
How to eat your apple pie bar
Enjoy it fresh out of the oven. If you’re eating it after it’s already cooled, warm up your bar in the microwave. Eat it as it is, or top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Ingredients
Crust
- 3 cups of
- 1 cup of
- ½ tsp. of
- 3 sticks of (melted)
Filling
- 5 cups of peeled and diced small (about 7 apples depending on size)
- 1 tsp. of
- ½ cup of
- ½ cup of
- ½ cup of packed light brown sugar
- 2 tsp. of apple pie spice (or 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon & ¼ tsp. nutmeg)
Topping
- 3 tbsp. of
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
Glaze
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp. of milk
- ½ tsp.
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray or butter a 9×13 baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, add flour, powdered sugar, salt, and melted butter. Use a fork and your fingers to mix ingredients together. Mix just until all ingredients are combined, do not over mix.
3. Divide the dough into two equal parts. Press one-half of the dough evenly into the baking dish using your fingers.
4. Peel and dice apples. Add to a large mixing bowl. Add vanilla to apples and stir.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, brown sugar, and apple pie spice together. Pour mixture over apples and mix until apples are coated.
6. Pour the apple mixture over the prepared crust and spread evenly.
7. Using the other half of the dough, crumble it over the top of the apple mixture and lightly press it.
8. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together for the topping. Sprinkle as much or as little as you want on top of the crust. You can brush the top with melted butter first but that step is not necessary.
9. Bake for 50 min to an hour.
10. Remove from oven and allow it to cool before cutting.
11. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl. If glaze is too thick, add more milk to thin it out. Drizzle over bars.
