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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!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

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

Method
 

To make the crust
  1. Place dry ingredients (flour, salt and sugar) in a large bowl and whisk together.
  2. Cube the cold butter into 1-2 centimeter cubes and add to dry ingredients.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. Form the dough into a ball and cut it in half. Set one half aside.
  6. Place the other half on a well-floured surface and roll it out in a rectangle shape, about ½ cm thick.
  7. Place the dough over an ungreased ~9x13 cookie sheet. Set aside.
To make the filling
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Peel and thinly slice apples into quarter-sized or larger pieces.
  3. Place apples in a medium bowl and add remaining ingredients (sugars, lemon juice, flour). Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix well.
  4. Place the filling over the dough-lined pan and evenly spread it throughout.
  5. Roll out the remaining dough into a rectangle shape (~½ cm thick) and carefully place it over the apple filling.
  6. Leave an excess of ~1-inch of pie crust around the edge of the pan, trim off the rest.
  7. Pinch the edges together and use your finger to crimp the edges, if desired.
  8. Use a kitchen shears or knife to cut 6-8 holes throughout the top of the crust.
  9. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the top and edges are browned and the apples are soft & bubbling.
  10. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature.
To make the frosting
  1. Place powdered sugar in a medium bowl and add vanilla extract.
  2. 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).
  3. Evenly spread the frosting over the cooled apple pie bars. Enjoy at room temperature or heat in the microwave!