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Apple Pie Bars are great for a crowd
It is not too late to find great tasting apples in the supermarket. If you are getting ready for a family get-together or neighborhood pot-puck, Apple Pie Bars are the way to go. This recipe makes a large batch, and serves a lot of people. It’s a little fiddly because of the layers, but not at all difficult.
What kind of apples are best for Apple Pie Bars?
Sometimes, in other recipes, the variety of apples can make a big difference. In Molasses Apple Cobbler a tart, firm apple is best. When making Applesauce, a mix of different kinds is a good idea. For these Apple Pie Bars though, you don’t need to be picky. The apples are going to be grated, so texture isn’t a concern. Just about any apple is going to have a good flavor, so use what you can find in the store right now.
You may have seen similar recipes called “Slab Pie”, but this is a little different, and a bit easier. I first came up with this idea before I learned how to make a good pie crust. I hated struggling to get a crust rolled out and I wasn’t happy with the texture. [a circumstance I have since remedied, as you can see in my recipe for Bourbon Pecan Pie.] This recipe fixes the crust problem – the layers kind of taste like a pie crust, but are a whole lot easier to make.
The filling is made separately from the top and bottom “crust” layers. It’s pretty fast and easy to pull together. You can use a box grater to grate the apples, of run them through the grating disk on your food processor. You might want to give this handy little gadget a try. I got this recently and I have loved using it for small, quick tasks like a small batch of coleslaw or grating up some cheese. It would make short work of the apples for this recipe too.
Should I peel the apples?
It is April as I am posting this recipe, and some apples don’t have the greatest tasting peels by this time of year. It is a matter of personal preference though. This particular batch has peeled apples, but I have often made it with unpeeled apples, and we liked it just as well. Unpeeled apples are going to have a bit more texture, but peeling them is more work, so it’s up to you.
Apple Pie Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
Filling Ingredients
- 5 cups of grated or finely chopped apples
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
Crust and Topping Ingredients
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- zest of a medium lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 cups all purpose flour
Glaze Ingredients
- juice of a medium lemon
- 1 1/2 cup 10X confectionary sugar
Instructions
Make the filling
- Mix the filling ingredients in a large bowl and set aside
Make the crust and topping
- Place the softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large mixing bowl if using a hand mixer.
- Add the sugar and beat until the mixture lightens in color and becomes fluffy.
- With the mixer running, add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each one is completely incorporated.
- Beat in the vanilla and the lemon zest.
- Put the salt and baking powder in, plus one cup of the flour and beat until thoroughly mixed.
- Mix in the remaining two cups of flour, until well combined.
Make the bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Generously butter the baking sheet, making sure to get in the corners, so you don't have any sticking later on.
- Spread just a bit over one half of the crust/topping mixture in the bottom of the pan. It is going to be a thin layer, but make sure the entire bottom of the pan is covered.
- Spread all of the apple mixture in an even layer over the crust layer.
- Use a teaspoon and your finger to put small dabs of the topping over the apples. Try to get it evenly distributed, but not a solid layer. You want small areas of apple showing through.
- Place in the preheated oven, and bake for around 50 minutes, until the apples are a bit bubbly and the top layer is nicely brown. Turn the pan a couple of times during baking, to ensure it bakes evenly.
- Remove the pan to a cooling rack. Allow it to sit for about 1/2 hour before slicing into bars.
- Mix the lemon juice and 10X sugar together until they smooth. Drizzle this over the top of the bars before serving. If you plan to serve it the next day, you can wait to add the drizzle until then.
Notes
These bars should be stored in the refrigerator, because the moisture from the apple could cause them to spoil rather quickly. Use a container with a tight lid to keep them fresh. They can be frozen and defrosted.Nutrition
Cool them for about 1/2 hour and then slice. Remove them from the pan. Leaving them on the sheet pan will cause the bottoms to get soggy
You can place them on the cooling rack to add the icing drizzle, and then store them in an airtight container.
Should these Apple Pie Bars be refrigerated?
Keep these in a tightly covered container in the fridge. Because of the apples, they might spoil if kept at room temperature for very long. Take them out about 90 minutes before serving, if you want them to be at room temp for serving.
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I made these apple pie bars this afternoon and they were incredible! So full of cinnamon and apple flavor!
Thank you Tayler – I am really glad to hear you enjoyed them 😉
I pln to try these for our Mother’s Day feast – everyone is gonna love them I am sure!
I hope they come out perfectly for your special day, Mickaela!
I tried this recipe the day yu posted it and we loved it. I’ll be making it again!
That is good to hear Dayna – thanks for letting me know!
As soon as I saw this recipe, I knew I had to try it. We have a big dinner at church tonight and I can’t wait to share these. They are just delicious!
Thank you Donna – I hope they are a hit for you 🙂
These bars are a little messy when you’re making them, but come out perfectly fine. I was thinking for a couple minutes that it wasn’t going to owrk, but they were delicious.
Thanks for the encouraging words, Naz – they do seem on fiddly side for a bit, but then it all works out. 🙂
I can’t wait to try these. My husband loves apple pie, so I hope he will this is a good substitute. I can’t make pie crust. This looks a lot easier.
Heidi – my husband loves pie too, and he loves these bars. ❤️
I made these to take to my dad’s place for a dinner. I think I overbaked them a little, but they were still so tasty.
I’m really glad to hear they came out well for you 🙂
Super fun to make, as I’m a big fan of apple desserts. The crust was outta this world!
Thanks Erik – that crust is pretty delicious!
These bars are absolutely amazing! They’re so easy to make and they really do taste like apple pie!
I agree, Beth – thank you!
This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
Thank you suja!
These were delightful! I had something similar at a restaurant recently and had to find a recipe so I could make something like it at home. Loved this!!!
So glad that you enjoyed them, Paula 🙂
I made these apple pie bars for dessert last night and they were delicious! All the flavor of apple pie in a fun bar form!
I agree Tayler – thanks!
These are absolutely delicious! The crust is perfectly buttery and the filling has just the right amount of sweetness and spice. They’re so easy to make and are a hit every time I bring them to a gathering. HIGHLY recommend!
Thank you Gianne – one of my favorites to take to a shared meal too.
Delicious apple pie bars! The perfect snack. Will definitely be making again.
I’m glad, Harriet!
Those look amazing – and I think would make a great dessert as well as snack bar! Definitely one to try
Maybe with a little ice cream on top, Fiona!
This would be so great to make and bring to a family potluck! 🙂 I know that these would disappear quickly.
Thanks Carrie ♥
I made this apple pie recipe today and my family loves it. It taste amazing. Thanks for the recipe
Thanks Saif 🙂
I love apple pie and this is a wonderful variation, and great for a crowd!
Thank you, Helen ❤️
This looks amazing, Thanks for this recipe
I made these after seeing them on Pinterest and I am so glad I found your recipe. These will be my new go-to for large gatherings – thanks!
I’m really glad to hear that Marlene!
So in love with these simply because it’s easier to assemble and easier to handle than the traditional pie! So good too!
I agree Sharon – the big batch is a great help too!
So easy to make my teen made a batch this weekend, was delish.
I’m glad – a great sweet for teens to make!
These apple pie bars were a hit! The buttery crust perfectly complemented the sweet and tangy apple filling. A great alternative to traditional apple pie, these bars were easy to make and disappeared quickly at the party.
Thanks Gianne – that is good to hear!
These look so good – on my to-do list and pinned so I don’t lose them!
I hope you love them, Jaye ♥
These were so delicious and actually very easy. Checking out your other recipes now!
thanks, guys!
an amazing recipe – loved it!
I’m glad to hear that!