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apple pie bars recipe
- Total Time: 235 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 portions 1x
- Diet: General
Description
These easy apple pie bars offer a comforting, family-friendly treat perfect for weeknights or special occasions. Featuring a tender crust, spiced apple filling, crunchy pistachio crumble, and a delicate cardamom-rose glaze, they promise a delightful dessert with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (for crust)
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar (for crust)
- 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt (for crust)
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (0.75 cup for crust, 0.25 cup for crumble)
- 0.25 cup ice water (for crust)
- 2 lbs mixed apples (like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, diced
- 0.33 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 0.25 cup light brown sugar, packed (for filling)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for filling)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (for filling)
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (for filling)
- 0.5 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract (for filling)
- 0.75 cup all-purpose flour (for crumble)
- 0.25 cup light brown sugar, packed (for crumble)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for crumble)
- 0.5 cup rolled oats (not instant, for crumble)
- 0.5 cup finely chopped pistachios (for crumble)
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons whole milk (for glaze)
- 1 teaspoon rosewater (for glaze)
- 0.25 cup coarsely chopped pistachios (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon dried edible rose petals (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Crust Dough: Preheat oven to 190 degrees C (375 degrees F). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan. Pulse 2 cups flour, 0.25 cup granulated sugar, and 0.5 teaspoon salt in a food processor. Cut in 0.75 cup cold butter until coarse crumbs form. Add 0.25 cup ice water and pulse until dough forms. Press dough into the pan and prick it with a fork. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden.
- Make Apple Filling: While the crust bakes, combine 2 lbs diced apples, 0.33 cup granulated sugar, 0.25 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon cardamom, and 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract. Toss gently until apples are evenly coated.
- Assemble Bars: Spread the apple filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. To make the crumble, mix 0.75 cup flour, 0.25 cup brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Cut in 0.25 cup cold butter until coarse crumbs form. Stir in 0.5 cup rolled oats and 0.5 cup finely chopped pistachios. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples.
- Bake Bars: Bake for 40-50 minutes at 190 degrees C (375 degrees F), or until the topping is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced. (If topping browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil.) Let cool for 2 hours in the pan until fully set.
- Cool and Finish: Once cool, lift bars from the pan. Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon rosewater until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the glaze over the bars. Immediately sprinkle 0.25 cup coarsely chopped pistachios and 1 teaspoon edible rose petals. Let the glaze set for 15-20 minutes before cutting into portions.
Notes
For a refined twist, add a splash of bourbon or bourbon extract to the apple filling before baking to deepen the flavor. Using a food processor for the crust saves time and ensures cold butter integrates perfectly. Consider sneaking in finely grated zucchini with the apples for added nutrition. Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350 calories
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg