Apple Bars

If you love apple pie you’re in for a serious treat with these apple bars. When the glorious fall weather arrives and you find yourself craving autumnal flavors, fresh-baked apple bars are the ideal treat to have on hand. With a buttery crust and warmly spiced and moist apple filling, these bars are extra-delicious when drizzled with homemade caramel sauce and topped with a scoop of melty vanilla ice cream. Keep reading for our classic apple bars recipe; just in time for the fall baking season.

Ingredients for Apple Bars

• All-purpose flour: Learn how to measure flour the right way so you don’t end up with too much or too little of the ingredient.
• Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of these apple bars.
• Butter: Be sure your butter is cold to help it incorporate into the dough.
• Ice water: The ice water keeps the mixture moist.
• Tart apples: Some good apple types to use include Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady and Honeycrisp.
• Sugar: Sugar helps lock in moisture and adds a crucial sweetness.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon imparts a warmth and slight spice that complements the other flavors of these bars.

Directions

Step 1: Make the dough

Preheat the oven to 350°. Place the salt and 2 cups flour in a food processor and pulse until blended. Add 1 cup butter and pulse until the butter is the size of peas. While pulsing, add just enough ice water to form moist crumbs.

Step 2: Bake the crust

Press the mixture onto the bottom of a greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Bake until the edges are lightly browned, for about 20 t0 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Editor’s Tip: Keep in mind that the bake time for this recipe may vary depending on your oven. Be sure to keep a close watch on these bars, especially toward the end of the baking process.

Step 3: Make the apple filling and crumb topping

In a large bowl, combine the apples, 1 cup sugar and cinnamon; toss to coat. Spoon over the crust. Place the remaining flour, butter and sugar in the food processor and pulse until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle over the apples.

Step 4: Bake and cut into bars

Bake until golden brown and the apples are tender (60 to 70 minutes). Let cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Editor’s Tip: Line the pan with parchment paper to make it easier to get the baked bars out.

Apple Bars Recipe Variations

• Add caramel: Make a batch of caramel sauce to have on hand to serve drizzled atop your apple bars.
• Add nuts: Chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, almonds or cashews provide a deliciously crunchy texture; add them as a topping.
• Top with ice cream: A scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream takes these bars to another level.

How to Store Apple Bars

While they’re best served fresh, these apple bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay good for at least a couple days.

Can you freeze apple bars?

Yes, you can freeze apple bars. Freeze them immediately after cooling and keep them in the freezer, in an airtight container, for up to 30 days. Thaw them completely before serving.

Apple Bars Recipe Tips

Do you have to use a food processor for this recipe?

While a food processor is ideal (and well worth the investment for any home cook), you could also use a blender to mix the dough and filling. You could even cube the butter and use your hands as a last resort.

What should the texture of these bars be like?

When you follow this recipe your apple bars should turn out perfectly moist, flaky and buttery; they shouldn’t be too hard or chewy.

Can you double this apple bars recipe?

Yes, you can easily double this apple bars recipe. Treat it as two separate batches rather than trying to combine all the ingredients in a single pan.