There’s something magical about the scent of apples, cinnamon, and buttery pastry wafting through the kitchen. It always takes me back to crisp autumn afternoons at my grandmother’s house, where the oven was always on and the apple peels curled like ribbons on the countertop. She didn’t believe in fancy—just good ingredients, warm hands, and recipes shared from the heart. These Apple Pie Bars are my love letter to her kitchen—easy enough for a weeknight, special enough for any gathering, and perfect for sharing.
These bars are everything you love about apple pie, but without the fuss of rolling out dough. They’re soft, crumbly, spiced just right, and the kind of dessert that disappears in minutes at a potluck. Think buttery shortbread crust, layers of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples, and a golden crumble topping that’s got just the right crunch. Let’s make them together.
What You’ll Need
For the crust & topping (yes, it’s the same dough!):
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
For the apple filling:
- 4–5 medium apples (about 1 1/2 lbs), peeled and thinly sliced (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp combo = perfection!)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step: How to Make Apple Pie Bars
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Tip for beginners: Fold and crease your parchment into the corners—it’ll sit better and make cleanup easier!
2. Make the dough
In a large bowl, stir together melted butter, sugars, vanilla, and salt. Add flour and mix until you have a soft, doughy texture—it’ll look like damp sand.
Set aside 1 heaping cup of the dough for the topping. Press the rest firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan.
Bake the crust for 15 minutes, just until it’s slightly golden. Let it cool slightly while you prep the apples.
3. Toss the filling
In another bowl, combine the sliced apples with lemon juice, sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Toss until the apples are nicely coated and glossy.
Want to make it dairy-free? Use plant-based butter—Miyoko’s or Earth Balance work beautifully.
4. Assemble & bake
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the par-baked crust. Crumble the reserved dough on top—it doesn’t need to cover every bit. You want those juicy apples to peek through.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden and your kitchen smells like a hug.
5. Cool & slice
Let the bars cool completely in the pan—resist the urge to dive in too early! Once cool, lift them out using the parchment and cut into 16 squares.
Serving tip: These are incredible warm with vanilla ice cream. But chilled with morning coffee? Also elite.
Make It Yours: Customization Ideas
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. (Tested with Bob’s Red Mill—worked great!)
- Vegan: Swap in dairy-free butter and check your sugar brand (some aren’t vegan-friendly).
- Add-ins: A handful of chopped pecans in the crumble or raisins in the filling brings a whole new twist.
Why You’ll Love These Bars
The bars are a beautiful mix of textures: the crust is firm but tender, the apples are soft and warmly spiced, and the crumble topping adds the perfect crispness. They’re golden and rustic, with bits of apple poking through and just enough stickiness to feel indulgent but not heavy. They freeze like a dream too—if you can manage not to eat them all in one go.
Try It, Love It, Share It!
I’d love to hear how these Apple Pie Bars turn out in your kitchen! Did you tweak the spices? Try a different apple? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s swap stories—because recipes are better when shared.
And if you snap a photo, tag it with #ApplePieBarsJoy so I can see your delicious creations! 🧡
Happy baking, friends.
– From my kitchen to yours.