Flaky Apple Pie Bars bring all the comforting flavors of a classic pie—crisp apples, buttery crust, and cinnamon sugar—without the need for rolling pins or pie tins.
Perfect for fall gatherings or cozy weekends, these portable, sliceable treats deliver the nostalgic charm of apple pie in a stress-free, bar-style format.
Key Players Behind Flaky Apple Pie Bars
- Granny Smith apples – Tart and crisp, these apples hold their shape and contrast beautifully with the sweet crumble.
- Butter or shortening – Creates that rich, flaky shortbread crust that anchors the entire dessert.
- Brown sugar – Adds depth and a hint of caramel flavor to both the filling and the topping.
- Cinnamon – Infuses the apples with warm, spiced flavor that feels like a hug in every bite.
- Crushed pecans – Lend a satisfying crunch and nutty richness to the crumbly topping.
- Egg yolks and milk – Bind the crust dough and enrich it for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
How to Make These Flaky Apple Pie Bars
Start by crafting the dough for the crust using flour, sugar, butter, egg yolks, and milk. Most of the dough becomes the base, while a portion is set aside for a golden crumble topping.
Layer thinly sliced Granny Smith apples over the pressed crust, then blanket them in a cinnamon sugar mixture. Crumble the reserved dough over the apples with added pecans and sugar, then bake until bubbling and golden. Cool completely before slicing for perfect, clean-cut bars.
Secrets to Success with Apple Pie Bars
For the best texture, use cold butter or shortening when making the crust—this helps create those irresistibly flaky layers. Slice the apples uniformly to ensure even baking, and don’t skip cooling the bars fully before cutting, as it allows them to set properly and hold their shape.
If you want to elevate the flavor further, a splash of vanilla or a pinch of nutmeg can deepen the warmth of the filling. For a more rustic touch, try swapping the pecans with walnuts or adding oats to the crumb topping.
Keep ‘Em Fresh: Storing Apple Pie Bars
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate them to extend freshness up to five days. To freeze, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to two months. Reheat gently in the oven to restore crispness before serving.
Flaky Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter or vegetable shortening
For the Filling:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 8 small Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Crumb Topping:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- A handful of crushed pecans
- Reserved dough from crust preparation
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan to ensure easy release of the bars.
- In a mixing bowl, blend 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Incorporate 1 cup of butter or shortening using a pastry cutter until the mixture achieves a coarse, crumbly texture.
- In a separate vessel, beat together 2 egg yolks and ½ cup of milk. Gradually stir this into the flour mixture, blending until a dough is formed.
- Set aside one-quarter of the dough for the topping. Evenly press the remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared pan, forming a compact and level crust.
- Distribute the thinly sliced Granny Smith apples uniformly across the crust. In a bowl, combine ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this spiced sugar blend over the apple layer.
- For the topping, mix the reserved dough with 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and a handful of crushed pecans. Stir until crumbly, then scatter over the apple layer.
- Transfer to the oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the apples are bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to ensure clean slices. Cut into squares and serve.
