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Flaky Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Flaky Apple Pie Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 8 reviews

These Flaky Apple Pie Bars offer the perfect combination of a buttery, crumbly crust and a tender, spiced apple filling, topped with a sweet glaze for a delightful dessert perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust and Topping:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Apple Filling:

  • 4 to 5 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp works well)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • A pinch of ground cloves

Optional Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
  2. Make the crust and topping: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cut in the chilled butter using a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture for the topping.
  3. Prepare the crust: Firmly press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
  4. Prepare the apple filling: In another bowl, toss the sliced apples with 2 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly coated.
  5. Assemble the bars: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the apples.
  6. Bake the bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
  7. Prepare the optional glaze: While the bars cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (starting with 1 tablespoon and adding more as needed), and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars.
  8. Serve: Once the glaze has set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares or bars and serve.

Notes

  • You can swap the apples for other tart varieties if preferred, such as Braeburn or Jonathan.
  • Ensure the butter is well chilled for the best flaky texture in the crust and topping.
  • The glaze is optional but adds a lovely sweetness and sheen to the bars.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine and use non-dairy milk in the glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple pie bars, apple dessert bars, flaky crust bars, apple crumb bars, quick apple dessert

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/flaky-apple-pie-bars-recipe/