Homemade Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Make this homemade apple pie bars recipe with a shortbread crust, fresh apple pie filling and streusel top. Baked apple pie squares are easier to make than a classic apple pie and just as delicious. Serve apple bars warm or cold.

What Is An Apple Pie Bar?

Apple pie bars are baked in a rectangular baking dish rather than a traditional pie dish. They have layers of crust, fresh apple pie filling and a topping. These apple pie bars are topped with a streusel topping. Streusel is a mixture of brown sugar, sugar, flour and butter.

Ingredients

For a full printable apple bar ingredients list and instructions are in the recipe card below. There are a lot of ingredients but this is an easy recipe!

Bottom Crust Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon table salt
• 1 cup butter, cold, unsalted and cubed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large egg yolks

Apple Pie Filling

• 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced — See note below about what types of apples to use.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 3 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Streusel Topping

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

What Type of Apples Work Best in Apple Pie

The best apples to use are firm, tart apples. Granny Smith apples, Honey Crisp apples, Braeburn apples, Gala apples, and Pink Lady apples are recommended. If you want to use a softer apple, I recommend Golden Delicious apples.

Instructions

Full step-by-step instructions for apple squares are in the recipe card below. You can print or save to Pinterest for later.

Prep:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

How To Make Shortbread Crust

This pie crust is a buttery shortbread crust. First, combine 2 ½ cups flour, ⅓ cup granulated white sugar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 cup cold cubed butter into a food processor. Next, blend at high speed until the butter is incorporated into the dry ingredients.

Finally, add the vanilla extract and egg yolks and run food processor at low speed until the dough is clumpy.

UPDATED SUGGESTION: Place the crust into the oven in the middle rack. Prebake for 10 minutes. Make the apple filling while it’s baking.

NOTE: If you don’t have a food processor, use a handheld pastry blender or two forks and bowl to blend butter and flour mixture. Use the forks or pastry blender to smash and break apart the butter and mix with the flour and sugar. Do not stir.

Press the dough evenly into the parchment-lined pan with your hands. Set aside.

How To Make Apple Pie Filling

First, peel and core apples and slice into thin slices.

In a large bowl, gently toss the apple slices in 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 3 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 tablespoon flour. Lay apple mixture out in two layers over the crust.

How to Make Streusel Crumb Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together ¾ cup flour, ¾ cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl.

Melt 5 tablespoons of butter in a small microwave safe bowl. Pour the melted butter into the sugar mixture. Mix with your hands into a crumbly mixture.

Sprinkle the coarse crumbs topping over the apples evenly.

Bake:

Place the baking dish into the center rack of the oven. Then bake for 45-50 minutes or until the apples are tender and the edges are golden brown. Remove from oven. Allow the apple squares to rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before cutting.

TRY THIS: If you love this apple pie bars recipe, try Apple Pie Ice Cream.

How To Serve Apple Pie Bars

Allow the apple dessert to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting. This allows the juices to thicken and cool slightly. Slice the apple pie streusel into 12 pieces. Serve apple pie bars on a plate with:

• Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Ice cream is the classic partner to apple pie. This no-churn vanilla ice cream is easy to make. Mix it up the night before so it’s chilled enough when you serve the apple pie bar.
• Fresh Whipped Cream: In an electric mixer, whisk 1 cup of heavy whipping cream with ¼ cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whip until stiff peaks form.
• Caramel Topping: Buy or make caramel topping to make caramel apple pie bars.

TRY THIS: Bake a Pumpkin Spice Cake Donut to serve with your apple pie bars.

Storing

Store apple pie bar leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Store leftover apple pie bars in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 2 months. Defrost in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Reheat individual servings for 10-20 seconds in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions