There’s a certain magic that comes with the aroma of a freshly baked apple pie—the warm scent of cinnamon, the buttery crust, the sweet, tender apples. It’s a timeless dessert, but let’s be honest, making a traditional pie can be an all-day affair. What if you could capture all that classic, soul-warming flavour in a simple, shareable dessert that’s incredibly easy to make?

Contents

What You’ll Need: Ingredients
Timing
How to Make the Best Apple Pie Bars

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Step 2: Create and Par-Bake the Shortbread Crust
Step 3: Prepare the Spiced Apple Filling
Step 4: Mix the Pecan Crumble Topping
Step 5: Assemble and Bake Your Apple Pie Bars
Step 6: Cool, Drizzle with Caramel, and Serve

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing and Make-Ahead Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1. What are the best apples to use for apple pie bars?
Q2. Can I make these bars without nuts?
Q3. Can I use a different size pan?

The Best Apple Pie Bars with Crumble Topping

Description
Ingredients

For the Buttery Shortbread Crust
For the Spiced Apple Filling
For the Pecan Crumble Topping
For Serving

Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

That’s where these incredible Apple Pie Bars come in. This recipe has everything you love about the classic pie—a rich, buttery shortbread crust, a layer of perfectly spiced apples, and an irresistible pecan crumble topping—all in a simple, sliceable bar format. These are the perfect treat for any fall gathering, potluck, or cozy afternoon. Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite way to enjoy a classic.

What You’ll Need: Ingredients

This recipe is made up of three delicious layers: a simple shortbread crust, a fresh apple filling, and a buttery pecan crumble.

Component	Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
For the Buttery Shortbread Crust	Unsalted butter, softened	1 cup (2 sticks)
	Granulated sugar	1/2 cup
	Brown sugar, packed	1/4 cup
	All-purpose flour	2 1/2 cups
	Kosher salt	1/2 tsp.
For the Spiced Apple Filling	Firm baking apples	6, peeled, cored, and sliced
	Juice of 1/2 lemon	From 1/2 lemon
	Brown sugar, packed	1/2 cup
	Ground cinnamon	1 tsp.
	Pure vanilla extract	1 tsp.
	Kosher salt	1/2 tsp.
For the Pecan Crumble Topping	All-purpose flour	1 1/2 cups
	Chopped pecans	1 cup
	Brown sugar, packed	1 cup
	Kosher salt	1/2 tsp.
	Unsalted butter, melted	3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks)
For Serving	Caramel sauce	For drizzling
	Cooking spray	For the pan

Timing

These bars require a two-stage bake to ensure a perfectly crisp crust, but the active preparation time is quick and easy.

Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Bake Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Cooling Time: 15-30 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes

How to Make the Best Apple Pie Bars

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly layered, delicious apple pie bars every time.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

First, get your oven ready for baking. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to act as “handles” for easy removal later. Grease the parchment paper with cooking spray.

Step 2: Create and Par-Bake the Shortbread Crust

In a large bowl using a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and both the granulated and brown sugars together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt, and mix on low speed until it is just combined and a crumbly dough forms. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan and about ½-inch up the sides. Bake the crust for 20 minutes, until it is lightly golden.

Step 3: Prepare the Spiced Apple Filling

While the crust is par-baking, prepare your apple filling. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the lemon juice. The lemon juice will add a lovely tartness and prevent the apples from browning. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt, and toss everything together until the apple slices are evenly coated in the spiced sugar mixture. Once the crust is out of the oven, spread the apples in an even layer over the warm crust.

Step 4: Mix the Pecan Crumble Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and salt. Pour the melted butter over the dry ingredients and stir with a fork until coarse, buttery clumps form. This irresistible crumble is what gives the bars their amazing texture.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake Your Apple Pie Bars

Sprinkle the pecan crumble topping evenly over the layer of apples in the pan. Place the pan back in the oven and bake for about 1 hour, or until the topping is a deep golden brown and the apple filling is soft and bubbly.

Step 6: Cool, Drizzle with Caramel, and Serve

Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Let the bars cool for at least 15-30 minutes in the pan. This step is crucial, as it allows the bars to set up so you can get clean slices. Once cooled slightly, use the parchment paper handles to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into squares and, just before serving, drizzle generously with warm caramel sauce.

Nutritional Information

Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per bar, assuming the pan is cut into 16 bars.

Calories: ~380 kcal
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 50 g (Sugar: 30g)
Fat: 19 g (Saturated Fat: 9 g)

Healthier Alternatives

While these bars are a wonderful treat, you can make a few simple swaps:

Add Whole Grains: For a nuttier flavour and more fiber, you can replace half of the all-purpose flour in both the crust and the topping with white whole wheat flour or rolled oats.
Reduce Sugar: You can reduce the brown sugar in the apple filling and the crumble topping by about ¼ cup each for a less sweet, more fruit-forward bar.
Nut-Free Option: For a nut-free version, simply omit the pecans from the crumble topping. You can replace them with an equal amount of rolled oats for a similar texture.

Serving Suggestions

These apple pie bars are a complete dessert on their own, but they are also a fantastic base for a more decadent treat.

A La Mode: For the ultimate indulgence, serve a warm apple pie bar with a generous scoop of vanilla bean or salted caramel ice cream.
With a Dollop of Cream: A simple spoonful of lightly sweetened whipped cream or a dollop of tangy crème fraîche is a wonderful accompaniment.
Perfect for a Crowd: These bars are the perfect dessert for a potluck, a fall party, or a holiday gathering. They are easy to transport, easy to serve, and always a huge hit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Follow these simple tips to ensure your apple pie bars are a stunning success.

A Soggy or Undercooked Crust: This is a common issue with layered bars and is easily preventable.
- Solution: Do not skip the 20-minute par-baking step for the crust! This ensures that the bottom layer gets crisp and sturdy enough to hold up the moist apple filling.
A Watery Apple Filling: Some apple varieties can release a lot of liquid during baking, which can make the bars soggy.
- Solution: Be sure to use a firm baking apple variety that holds its shape well. The recipe also has you toss the apples with a bit of flour, which helps to thicken any juices that are released.
Cutting the Bars While Too Warm: It’s tempting to slice into them right away, but they will crumble and fall apart.
- Solution: Patience is key! Letting the bars cool and set up in the pan for at least 15-30 minutes is crucial for getting clean, beautiful squares.

Storing and Make-Ahead Tips

These bars store wonderfully, making them a great make-ahead dessert for any occasion.

Storing: Once completely cooled, you can store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week.
Freezing: These bars freeze beautifully. Let them cool completely, then slice them into squares. You can freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Make-Ahead: You can bake these bars a day or two in advance. Store them, unsliced, at room temperature. Slice and drizzle with caramel just before you are ready to serve.

Conclusion

These Apple Pie Bars are the perfect way to enjoy all the classic, comforting flavours of apple pie without any of the fuss. The combination of the buttery shortbread crust, the tender, spiced apples, and the crunchy pecan crumble topping creates a truly irresistible dessert that is perfect for any occasion. This simple, crowd-pleasing recipe is destined to become a new fall favorite in your home.

We are so excited for you to bake a batch of these incredible apple pie bars. Give this recipe a try and let us know how much you loved them in the comments below! Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more easy and delicious baking ideas.

FAQs

Q1. What are the best apples to use for apple pie bars?

The best apples are firm baking apples that will hold their shape and not turn to mush. Granny Smith will provide a tarter flavour, while Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Gala are all wonderful, sweeter options that work beautifully in this recipe.

Q2. Can I make these bars without nuts?

Absolutely! If you have a nut allergy or simply prefer a nut-free version, you can omit the pecans from the crumble topping. For a similar texture, you can replace the pecans with an equal amount of old-fashioned rolled oats.

Q3. Can I use a different size pan?

This recipe is designed for a 9×13-inch pan. You could also use a 9×9-inch square pan, but the layers will be much thicker, and you will need to increase the baking time significantly. Be sure to check for doneness with a toothpick.