Apple Pie Bars

In this recipe, we combine two of our favorite desserts. Classic apple pie meets shortbread for the most delicious apple pie bars. All the flavors of an apple pie on top of a shortbread cookie is pretty much heaven in a bite. The apples are topped with a brown sugar cinnamon crumble which makes everything better. These apple pie bars are so tasty and packed with apple flavor.

Tips for the best apple pie bars:

• Bake the shortbread in advance. We bake the shortbread before adding the apples and the crumble. After the apples and crumble are added, we bake the entire pan of apple pie bars again. Baking them twice (first on their own) will allow for a golden shortbread that does not get mushy underneath the apples. The method of cooking them in advance is similar to par baking a pie crust before adding the filling and baking again. We also do this in our lemon bars and other recipes because each component requires slightly different baking. In this case, the crust being baked until golden before is what produces the best bar.
• Cook the filing on the stove to slightly soften the apples. This will create a filling like the apple pie we all know and love. Like with many pies, we cook the apple pie filing on the stove for a few minutes before baking. We find this is the best way to control cooking the apples. It creates a sticky apple pie filling that is finished in the oven. Doing it this way ensures the apple layer is not too juicy (so they remain as bars after cutting) while still being sticky and moist inside.
• Pack on the crumble. We make a spiced, brown sugar crumble for extra flavor on top of the apple pie bars. We find that brown sugar, spiced crumble makes just about everything better and these apple pie bars on no exception. To ensure there is 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. We also add a little vanilla bean glaze on top after baking. It is truly the perfect topping for these apple pie bars.

Apple Pie Bars components: 

• Shortbread: The base of the apple pie bars is a thick layer of golden shortbread cookie. This shortbread is delicious on its own but makes the perfect base for the apple pie bars. It’s buttery and sweet which pairs perfectly with the soft apple center. It gets baked in advance to ensure it stays golden.
• Apple Filling: Just like a classic apple pie, these bars are packed full of sliced apples. The apples are covered with caramel, spiced syrup and are cooked until they are slightly soft. We like using green apple to ensure they are slightly more tangy in flavor. A tangier apple makes the perfect pair for the sugar and spices added to the filling. We also like using a mixture of green apples and pink ladies, so experiment with whichever apple combination you like best (we just recommend using ones on the tarter side).
• Crumble: The crumble is flavored with brown sugar and cinnamon. It is soft, spiced and so tasty. When it is baked all the nooks and crannies on top get slightly crisp while staying soft underneath.
• Vanilla Drizzle: The finishing drizzle brings a sweetness, creaminess, and extra vanilla flavor that ties the bars together. It is just a few ingredients but makes a big difference in both the taste and presentation of these apple pie bars.

Apple Pie Bar FAQs:

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Apple Pie Bars

Prep Time 40 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings 12

Ingredients

Shortbread:

• 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 400 g
• 1/2 cup cornstarch 75 g
• 1 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar 150 g
• 2 cups salted butter room temperature 450 g
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 g

Filling:

• 6 tablespoons butter 85 g
• 6 large green apples peeled cored, and cut into ⅛” slices
• 1/3 cup brown sugar 65 g
• 1/3 cup white sugar 65 g
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 g
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 8 g
• 2 teaspoons vanilla 10 g

Crumb Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 180 g
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 4 g
• 3/4 cup brown sugar 150 g
• 1/2 cup melted butter 113 g

Glaze:

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar 200 g
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 g
• 2 tablespoons milk 30 g

Instructions

Shortbread layer:

• Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F
• In the base of a stand mixer, add softened butter and sugar. Cream sugar and butter together until the mixture is pale and fluffy (on medium high speed for around 3 – 5 minutes).
  
• Then add in the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Pulse together the ingredients until they are just combined
  
• Pat the shortbread into a parchment lined 9×13 pan until it forms an even layer
  
• Bake for 45-55 minutes until the crust is golden brown (this bake time is for a glass pan, if using a metal pan check after 35 minutes)
  
• After shortbread finishing baking, turn the oven down to 300 to bake the bars after assembly

Apple Pie Filling:

• While the shortbread is baking, brown the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it is golden and toasty, stir in the sugars, salt, cinnamon and vanilla.
  
• Then stir in the peeled, sliced apple pieces into the warm caramel mixture. Add the lemon zest and cook over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes until the apples are slightly softened. Set aside to cool
  

Crumb:

• Add the flour, spice, and brown sugar to a bowl. Stir to combine
• Pour in the melted butter. Mix together with a fork until large crumbs form. Set aside
  

Assembly:

• On top of the cooked shortbread, add the apple pie filling. Using a spatula spread them into an even, slightly compact layer
  
• On top of the apple layer, evenly sprinkle the crumble across the top
  
• Bake at 300 for 30 minutes
• Turn the oven up to 350 and bake for 15 minutes until golden brown
  

Glaze:

• In a medium bowl, add powdered sugar and vanilla. Gradually whisk in milk
• When the bars are cooled, drizzle the glaze over top with a spoon or piping bag (a ziploc with the corner snipped off will also work)
  

Notes

Note: Updated Shortbread as of 10/11/2023 if you made these prior to this date and want the original recipe see below:

• 2 ⅔ cup All-purpose flour (320 g)
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons cornstarch (150 g)
• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons sugar (140 g)
• 2 cups + 4 tablespoons butter (500 grams)
• 1 teaspoon salt (6 grams)