Flaky Apple Pie Bars are a delicious dessert that combines the flavors of traditional apple pie with the convenience of handheld bars.
Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients: For the Crust: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 3-4 tablespoons cold water For the Filling: 3-4 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (use a variety like Granny Smith for best results) 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon cornstarch For the Topping: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup rolled oats 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened Instructions: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Make the Crust: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold diced butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Prepare the Filling: In another bowl, toss together the sliced apples, lemon juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch until the apples are evenly coated. Spread the apple mixture over the crust in the baking dish.
Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the softened butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the apple layer. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the dish. Slice into bars and serve. Optionally, you can serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy your flaky apple pie bars!