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Ultimate Easy Apple Pie Bars with Buttery Shortbread Crust

Close-up of a square serving of apple pie bars with a thick, crumbly topping on a white plate.
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Make these simple apple pie bars featuring a buttery shortbread base, spiced apple filling, and a cinnamon streusel topping. They are easier to serve than a traditional pie.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat 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. Prepare the crust: In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  5. Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Reserve the remaining one-third of the dough for the topping.
  6. Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat the apples.
  7. Spread the apple filling evenly over the crust layer in the pan.
  8. Prepare the streusel topping: In a small bowl, combine the rolled oats, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in the 2 tablespoons cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  9. Crumble the reserved one-third of the dough over the apple filling. Then, sprinkle the streusel mixture over the top.
  10. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  11. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment overhang. Cut into squares.

Notes

  • For a salted caramel variation, drizzle melted caramel sauce over the bars after they have cooled slightly.
  • You can make these bars one day ahead and store them covered at room temperature.
  • Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture in the filling.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorzine.com/apple-pie-bars-easy-recipe-streusel-topping/