Apple Pie Bars Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Meymi. This post may contain affiliate links.

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These apple pie bars are delicious and easy to make! You need simple ingredients to make this yummy treat.

Apple Pie Bars Recipe (1)

Today I am sharing another recipe with apples. If you made mystrawberry bars, you know how delicious and easy to make they are. I decided to share a fall version of them.

I use my cinnamon shortbread cookie recipefor the dough. These apple pie bars with shortbread crust are crunchy and soft. You’ll use the same dough for the crust and the crumbles to make these simple and from scratch apple pie bars.

Thick crust and crumbles with cinnamon and apples are so yummy and they are perfect any time of the year, especially in fall and winter.Apple Pie Bars Recipe (2)

Can You Freeze Apple Pie Bars?

Yes! You can keep in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. You can thaw these bars overnight in the fridge.

How to Make Apple Pie Bars with Crumb Topping

I start with apples.First I peel, core and slice the apples into small pieces. Then I place the chopped apples into a medium bowl and toss with lemon juice, sugar, flour (alternatively you can use cornstarch) cinnamon and nutmeg. I set aside the bowl.

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Next, I start to make the dough. I combine flour, cinnamon, and sugar in a large bowl.

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Then I add the cold cubed butter and cover with flour mixture soI cut the butter into the flour mixture easily with 2 forks until they look like breadcrumbs. (Alternatively, you can rub with your fingertips.)

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Later, I spread ⅔ of the mixture into the oven-proof dish with a spoon.I lightly flour the spoon to avoid it sticking to the flour-butter mixture. After that, I add the apple mixture over the dough and cover the apples with the remaining ⅓ of the dough. I make some big crumbles by squeezing the dough.

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Finally, I bake for 55 minutes until the top becomes golden brown and the crumbles are crunchy. I let it cool completelybefore slicing with a sharp knife. When it is cool, I cut it into 16 pieces.

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You can keep these bars in the fridge in an airtight container up to 4 days or you can freeze up to 3 months.

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Enjoy!Apple Pie Bars Recipe (10)

Other apple recipes you may enjoy!
  • Apple Blondies
  • Caramel Apple Bars
  • Puff Pasty Apple Turnovers
  • Apple Crisp Cookie Cups
  • Easy Apple Crumble Recipe
  • Apple Crumble Muffins
  • Dried Apples

Apple Pie Bars Recipe (11)

Apple Pie Bars Recipe

This delicious apple pie bars recipe with crumb topping is crunchy and soft. You'll use the same shortbread dough for the crust and the crumbles to make these easy and from scratch apple pie bars.

4.98 from 444 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 bars

Calories: 205kcal

Author: Meymi

Ingredients

Apple Filling

  • 550 g (4 and ½ cups-4 medium apples) chopped cubed apples
  • 30 g (2 tablespoons) granulated sugar
  • 25 g (2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon) all-purpose flour*
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Crust & Crumbles

  • 280 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour (dip and sweep)**
  • 185 g (¾ cup and 1 tablespoon) unsaltedbutter, cut into small cubes, cold
  • 105 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F(177C°). Grease 8 inch (20cm) square oven-proof dish and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper, about 2 inches(5 cm) of overhang on each side.

Apple Filling

  • Peel, core and slice the apples into small pieces. Place the chopped apples into a medium bowl. Toss the apples with lemon juice, sugar, flour/cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside the bowl.

Crust & Crumbles

  • Combine flour, cinnamon, and sugar in a large bowl.

  • Add the cold cubed butter and cover with flour mixture so you can cut the butter into the flour mixture easily. You can use 2 forks or a pastry blender. Alternatively, you can rub with your fingertips.

Assemble

  • Spread ⅔ of the mixture into the oven-proof dish with a spoon. Lightly flour the spoon to avoid it sticking to the flour-butter mixture. You can spread with your hand too. Add the apple mixture over the dough and cover the apples with the remaining ⅓ dough. You can make some big crumbles by squeezing the dough with your hand.

  • Bake for 55 minutes until the top becomes golden brown and the crumbles are crunchy. Let it cool completely before slicing. You can let it cool at room temperature for 1-1,5 hours and then you can keep in the freezer so it can cool faster. Once completely cool, lift the paper from the sides, remove the bars from the dish, cut into 16 pieces. You can keep in the fridge in an airtight container up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Notes

*You can use 1 tablespoon of cornstarch instead of flour.

**You can click here for dip and sweep method if you use cup measurements.

This is the knife I used to cut the apple pie bars.

This is the measuring cup set I used for the baking conversion chart.

The calorie information above is an estimate that is provided by an online nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 205kcal

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @PastryandBeyond or tag #PastryandBeyond!

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Apple Pie Bars Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are McDonald's apple pies so good? ›

Many pie fillings are made with a processed thickening agent that keeps the filling jelly-like and in place. But McDonald's uses a dehydrated apple powder. The powder not only thickens the filling, but it also adds that extra apple taste that you love.

Do I have to peel apples for baking? ›

Peeled apples will give you a delicately soft pie with no tough surprises, but some people argue that you lose the apple's nutritional value once the peel is removed. Making sure you are using the correct apples – peeled or unpeeled – is a more important part of crafting the perfect apple pie.

How do you keep apple pie from falling apart? ›

Now let's see how to prevent it.
  1. Use butter, not shortening. The solidity of unmelted fat is part of what helps pie crust hold its shape as it bakes. ...
  2. Keep water to a minimum. This pie pastry looks good, doesn't it? ...
  3. Roll sparingly. ...
  4. Choose apples that hold their shape. ...
  5. Vent the top crust.
Sep 13, 2017

What apples stay firm in pie? ›

Granny Smith Apples

This ubiquitous green variety is one of the most tart apples and a favorite apple among professional bakers. It boasts a bright, citrus-like aroma, with substantial acidity that complements the added sugar in pie recipes. The flesh is firm and crunchy and holds up well under long bake times.

Does McDonalds bake or fry their apple pies? ›

In 1992, McDonald's switched from frying its apple pies to baking them to quell health concerns. Today, nearly every McDonald's in America serves baked apple pies that are somewhat "healthier" than the beloved fried version. But customers in California and Hawaii can still get the deep-fried version.

Does McDonalds bake their apple pies? ›

McDonald's Baked Apple Pie recipe features 100% American-grown apples, and a lattice crust baked to perfection and topped with sprinkled sugar. There are 230 calories in McDonald's apple pie. Pair it with a Hot Caramel Sundae for your own twist on Apple Pie A-La-Mode!

Should I pre-bake pie crust for apple pie? ›

How do you make apple pie so the bottom crust isn't soggy? You don't have to pre-bake the bottom pie crust for this pie. There's simply no need to take this extra step because the apple pie bakes for a really long time in the oven. If your pies have soggy crusts, you may not be baking them long enough.

Can I cut apples the night before for apple pie? ›

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you're going to cook apples, it's fine to prep them a day or two in advance.

What happens if you don't peel apples for apple pie? ›

I think the peels add flavor and texture, and as you mention, nutrition. I leave the skins on, slice the apples, and soak them in cinnamon, sugar, and a little salt for a day or two. Then I drain and layer the pie with apples, cinnamon, and sugar several times and bake. I've never had complaints.

Why did my apples turn mushy in my pie? ›

Perfect Pie Tip #6: Choose Tart Apples

When apples are cooked, this pectin breaks down, and the apples turn mushy. However, there are ways to control this pectin breakdown, helping you to ensure that your apple slices are tender, but still hold their shape in the pie. The easiest first step is to pick the right apple.

Why is my apple pie full of liquid? ›

One of the chief reasons bakers end up with apple soup under the crust is failure to bake their pie long enough. There's almost no such thing as over-baking an apple pie; I've baked apple pies for 2 hours and longer, and they turn out just fine.

Should I soften my apples or leave them uncooked for apple pie? ›

Baking the apple slices first. It's the magic key to a crispy base, superior flavour and perfectly-cooked-and-never-mushy filling. It's also how you get a generous amount of pie filling without the dreaded giant empty cavity under the lid.

How many apples for an 8 inch pie? ›

The trouble when you're shopping for apple pie supplies, however, is guessing how many you'll need to make an eight- or nine-inch pie. Depending on the variety you're using, a good rule of thumb is to get around eight to 10 apples for each pie.

What are the three best apples for apple pie? ›

The best apples for making apple pie
  • Braeburn. This apple is a descendant of Granny Smith, but slightly sweeter. ...
  • Cortland. ...
  • Crispin (Mutsu). ...
  • Golden Delicious. ...
  • Granny Smith. ...
  • Honeycrisp. ...
  • Jonagold or Jonathan. ...
  • Northern Spy.
Oct 8, 2021

Are McDonalds apple pies actually apple? ›

Absolutely—McDonald's apple pie has real diced apples. The exact variety can vary from season to season, but we look for apples that are sweet and slightly tart.

Is apple pie from McDonalds good? ›

The crust is crispy, light and tasty. This gets 6 out of 10 apples from me. Content Producer Chris Sims: The chewy, almost rubbery, apples crammed into a crust smorgasbord with little filling left something to be desired compared to the original. 4.5 stars out of 10.

What is the apple pie at McDonalds made of? ›

View Ingredients & Allergens

OR: Water, Apples (23%), WHEAT Flour, Vegetable Oils (Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil), Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Dextrose, Salt, Spices, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Caramelised Sugar Syrup, Cassia Extract. Prepared in the restaurants using non-hydrogenated vegetable oil.

What is a McDonalds apple pie made of? ›

Filling: Apples (apples, water, ascorbic acid, salt, citric acid), Sugars (glucose-fructose, sugar, dextrose, brown sugar), Water, Modified corn starch, Sorbitol, Sodium alginate, Sodium citrate, Spice, Salt, Dicalcium phosphate, Citric acid, Natural flavour. Topping: Sugar, Spices. Contains: Soy, Wheat.

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