Apple Pie Bars
This dessert is an apple pie in bar form! The buttery and flaky crust pairs perfectly with the sweet apple pie filling. They are then topped with a light layer of frosting!
Ingredients
For the crust
- 3¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups unsalted butter cold
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup ice water add more as needed
For the filling
- 10-12 apples thinly sliced and quartered about 12 cups
- ⅓ cup brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
For the frosting
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
To make the crust
- Place dry ingredients (flour, salt and sugar) in a large bowl and whisk together.
- Cube the cold butter into 1-2 centimeter cubes and add to dry ingredients.
- Use your fingers, forks, or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Any leftover butter chunks shouldn't be larger than a pea.
- Add the water to the flour mixture and mix together until all of the dry ingredients have been coated. *I usually use my hands at the end of mixing to make sure everything is well incorporated
- Form the dough into a ball and cut it in half. Set one half aside.
- Place the other half on a well-floured surface and roll it out in a rectangle shape, about ½ cm thick.
- Place the dough over an ungreased ~9x13 cookie sheet. Set aside.
To make the filling
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Peel and thinly slice apples into quarter-sized or larger pieces.
- Place apples in a medium bowl and add remaining ingredients (sugars, lemon juice, flour). Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix well.
- Place the filling over the dough-lined pan and evenly spread it throughout.
- Roll out the remaining dough into a rectangle shape (~½ cm thick) and carefully place it over the apple filling.
- Leave an excess of ~1-inch of pie crust around the edge of the pan, trim off the rest.
- Pinch the edges together and use your finger to crimp the edges, if desired.
- Use a kitchen shears or knife to cut 6-8 holes throughout the top of the crust.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the top and edges are browned and the apples are soft & bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature.
To make the frosting
- Place powdered sugar in a medium bowl and add vanilla extract.
- Add 3 tablespoons of water and mix well. Add additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you have reached desired consistency (the frosting should be drippy and spreadable).
- Evenly spread the frosting over the cooled apple pie bars. Enjoy at room temperature or heat in the microwave!