Description
All the cozy flavors of apple pie in an easy-to-make bar! 🍏🥧 These Flaky Apple Pie Bars have a buttery, golden crust, a sweet cinnamon-apple filling, and a crisp, flaky topping. This beginner-friendly recipe makes it simple to enjoy homemade apple pie—without the hassle! 🍂✨
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of cold butter, cubed
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ cup of milk
For the Filling
- 8 small Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- ¼ cup of packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
For the Crumb Topping
- Reserved dough from crust preparation
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- ½ cup of crushed pecans
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray to prevent the bars from sticking.
Step 2: Make the Crust
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This step ensures a flaky texture.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and milk. Pour this mixture into the flour and butter mixture and stir until a dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can make the crust tough instead of tender.
Reserve one-fourth of the dough for the crumb topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling
Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Evenly arrange them over the crust in a single layer.
In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apples to enhance their natural sweetness and create a caramelized effect as they bake.
Step 4: Make the Crumb Topping
Take the reserved dough and mix it with flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and crushed pecans. Stir until the mixture becomes crumbly. This topping will add a delicious crunch and enhance the texture of the bars.
Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the apples.
Step 5: Bake the Apple Pie Bars
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the edges are bubbly. The apples should be soft but not mushy.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. This helps them set properly, making them easier to slice without falling apart.
Notes
- How to Tell If the Bars Are Done: The edges should be lightly golden brown, and the filling should be bubbling slightly. If you insert a toothpick into the crust, it should come out clean.
- Preventing a Soggy Bottom Crust: If you are concerned about the crust becoming too soft from the apple juices, you can pre-bake it for 5 to 7 minutes before adding the filling.
- Even Apple Slices: Try to slice the apples as evenly as possible so they bake at the same rate. Using a mandoline slicer can help achieve consistent thickness.
- Adjusting the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the granulated sugar in the filling by a couple of tablespoons.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes