Go Back
Judy John

Simple Apple Pie Bars Recipe

These simple apple pie bars combine buttery crust, warm cinnamon apples, and crisp topping into an easy family dessert.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 18 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 240

Ingredients
  

Crust and Crumble
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
Apple Filling
  • 3 cups apples peeled and diced
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Pan
  • Oven
  • Whisk
  • Pastry Cutter
  • Cooling Rack
  • Freezer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven and grease baking pan before preparing buttery crust mixture carefully and evenly.
  2. Combine flour, brown sugar, and salt before cutting butter into crumbly soft textured mixture.
  3. Press half the crumble mixture firmly into prepared pan creating even sturdy bottom layer.
  4. Mix apples, sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, and vanilla until fruit becomes glossy and fully coated.
  5. Spread apple filling evenly across crust while resisting unnecessary taste-testing every thirty seconds somehow.
  6. Sprinkle remaining crumble mixture over apples creating textured topping with crisp buttery edges after baking.
  7. Bake until topping turns golden and apples soften beautifully beneath bubbling cinnamon filling completely.
  8. Cool bars before slicing because warm filling slides everywhere and destroys neat dessert ambitions immediately.

Notes

Bake slightly longer for crispier crumble or reduce time for softer tender bars. Freeze cooled slices between parchment layers inside airtight containers. Let bars cool completely before cutting cleaner portions. Add caramel drizzle, pecans, or nutmeg for flavor customization. Store refrigerated up to five days.