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These Apple Pie Bars are filled with a classic apple pie filling sandwiched in an oatmeal cookie crust. An easy to make dessert that is perfect for celebrations or pot lucks.
Craving apple pie but don't want to actually make a pie? These bars are the next best thing! Super simple to whip up with a simple cookie crust and crumble, and an easy no cook apple filling. These bars are a fun and delicious twist on a classic apple pie recipe.
Apple Pie Bars Ingredients
- Salted Butter
- Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Eggs
- Unbleached All Purpose Flour
- Cinnamon
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Rolled Oats
- Apples
- Lemon Juice
Substitution Suggestions:
- Salted Butter: Unsalted butter can be used, but add an extra ¼ teaspoon to the crust dough.
- Unbleached All Purpose Flour: Whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour are good substitutes to add more whole grains to the dessert. It also adds a little nutty flavor to the crust.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is my go to for apple desserts, but you can add more flavor by using apple pie spice or adding a touch of nutmeg or all spice to the dough or filling.
- Rolled Oats: Rolled oats is what gives this dough the texture it needs to hold up to the filling. I don't recommend using quick cooking oats for this recipe. When I tested it, the bottom crust became too soggy.
- Apples: I prefer to use gala or honey crisp, but any type of apple will work as well.
- Lemon Juice: Don't have a lemon? Bottled lemon juice will work. Orange juice and lime juice will work too. Just a little acid to brighten the filling.
How to Make Apple Pie Cookie Bars
- First step is to make the cookie crust. Cream together the butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg.
- Add the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt and mix just until it is all combined.
- Mix in the rolled oats, 1 cup at a time, mixing just until it is all incorporated.
- Firmly press a little over half of the dough into a greased or parchment lined 9x13 baking dish.
- Set the remaining dough aside and make the apple filling.
- Peel and chop the apples into bite size pieces.
- Mix the chopped apples, lemon juice, sugar, salt, cinnamon and all purpose flour together until all the apples are evenly coated.
- Spread the apple filling over the crust in an even layer.
- Using a tablespoon, place flattened scoops of remaining dough on top of the apple filling, leaving some to peek through.
- Bake apple bars at 350°F for 60-65 minutes until the edges and top are golden brown.
- Let bars cool completely before slicing and serving.
Tips for Easy Apple Pie Bars
- Line the baking dish with parchment paper leaving an inch overhang on the long edge so you can easily lift the bars out of the dish once cooled, making them easier to slice too.
- Spray your hands with cooking spray before pressing dough into baking dish. This will prevent the dough from sticking to you and creating a mess.
- Flatten the dough scoops for the top with greased hands.
- Let the bars cool completely before slicing. The filling needs time to cool and set so the bars stay in tack when sliced.
How to Store Apple Pie Bars
Storing: These bars can be stored tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. After 2 days any remaining bars should be stored in the fridge.
Freezing: Apple pie bars can also be frozen. Place bars in a freezer safe air tight container or zip top bag between layers of wax paper. Or you can individually wrap the bars in plastic wrap and then place in container and bag. Label, date and freeze. Bars will last 3-4 months in the freezer.
Thawing: Let the bar or bars sit at room temperature for an hour or so, or thaw overnight in the fridge.
FAQs About Apple Pie Bars
Most recipes call for tart and firm apples like Granny Smith. However, honestly, any apple will work for these apple bars. I prefer to use Honey Crisp, but Gala, Pink Lady, Braeburn or even Golden Delicious will work well.
If these bars are consumed within 2 days of baking them, they are safe to keep tightly covered at room temperature. Any longer than 2 days and it's recommend to store them in the fridge.
Make these yummy apple pie bars! Some other delicious ways to use old apples: Make them into applesauce, add peel and diced apples into pancakes, make a quick bread or muffins, or use them in a savory recipe with pork.
This all depends on the size of the apple, but a medium sized apple will equal about one cup of chopped apple.
Other Delicious Apple Recipes:
- Apple Fritter Loaf
- Apple Crisp
- Very Berry Apple Crisp
- Apple Pie Muffins
- Apple Crisp Pie
- Homemade Applesauce
Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1¾ cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups rolled oats
Filling
- 6 cups peeled and chopped apples, about 6 medium apples
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unbleached all purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a stand mixer or with hand beaters, cream together the butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg.
- Mix in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt just until combined.
- Add the rolled oats 1 cup on time mixing just until incorporated.
- Firmly press a little over half of the dough into prepared baking dish. Set remaining dough aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, salt and flour. Mix so all the apples are evenly coated.
- Spread the apples in an even layer over the crust.
- Place tablespoon pieces of flattened dough over the apples letting some filling peek through.
- Bake for 60-65 minutes until the edges and top are golden brown.
- Let cool completely before slicing and serving.
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