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My Favorite Apple Pie Bars

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These apple pie bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, rich caramel apple filling, and a crunchy streusel topping. Perfectly spiced and layered, they are a delicious twist on classic apple pie.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs apples
  • 50 g white sugar (¼ cup)
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • Zest from 1 lemon
  • 45 mL rum or apple cider (3 tbsp)
  • 20 g cornstarch (2 tbsp)
  • 100 g white sugar (½ cup, for caramel)
  • 50 g unsalted butter (3.5 tbsp)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp ground cardamom
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • 130 g unsalted butter (softened)
  • 130 g white sugar (⅔ cup)
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 160 g all-purpose flour (1¼ cup)
  • ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
  • ½ tsp ground ginger (optional)
  • 115 g unsalted butter (chilled and cubed)
  • 100 g white sugar (½ cup)
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 94 g all-purpose flour (¾ cup)
  • 50 g rolled oats
  • 40 g chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel (optional), core, and slice apples into thin slices. Toss with lemon juice, sugar, salt, vanilla, zest, spices, and rum or cider. Let sit for 1 hour.
  2. Separate ⅔ of apples and toss with cornstarch. Set aside remaining apples with juices.
  3. Make caramel by heating sugar until amber, then add butter, apple juices, and remaining apples. Simmer, mash slightly, and cook until thick.
  4. Mix caramel base with reserved apples and set aside.
  5. Prepare crust by mixing butter, sugar, salt, vanilla, and flour. Press into lined pan, chill, then bake at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes.
  6. Make streusel by combining sugar, flour, salt, oats, and spices. Cut in butter until crumbly. Chill.
  7. Spread apple filling over crust, top with streusel and pecans.
  8. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 35–45 minutes until golden.
  9. Cool completely (about 4 hours), then slice and serve.

Notes

  • Use apple cider instead of alcohol for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Peeling apples gives a softer texture, but skins can be left on for structure.
  • Let bars fully cool before cutting to ensure clean slices.
  • Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yumfamilyrecipes.com/my-favorite-apple-pie-bars/