If you adore the comforting taste of apple pie but dread the fuss of rolling out dough, these Rustic Apple Pie Bars are your new best friend. With a buttery crust and a spiced apple filling, they capture all the flavors of a classic pie in a simple, hand-held form.
The foundation of our bars is a mix of simple pantry staples. All-purpose flour provides the structure, while granulated sugar and light brown sugar balance sweetness and add a hint of molasses. Baking powder gives a slight lift to the crust. A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors, and ground cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth and spice. We use unsalted butter for richness, with a large egg helping to bind the dough. For the filling, tart apples offer a firm texture and a robust flavor that’s brightened with lemon juice and deepened by vanilla extract.
These bars are delightful on their own, but for an extra treat, serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. They also pair beautifully with a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent dessert.
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C), and make sure to grease a 9x13 inch baking pan so your bars don’t stick. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix them up well to evenly distribute the spices.
Next, cut in the chilled butter. If you’re new to this, think of it as incorporating the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in the beaten egg to bring everything together into a dough.
Take half of this dough and press it into the bottom of your prepared pan. This will form the base crust for your bars. In another bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with lemon juice and vanilla extract. This keeps the apples from browning and infuses them with extra flavor.
Spread the apple mixture over the crust, making sure it’s evenly distributed. Finally, crumble the remaining dough over the apples. Don’t worry about perfection here; those rustic crumbles are part of the charm.
Pop the pan in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Let it cool before slicing into bars to ensure they hold their shape.
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