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Flaky Apple Pie Bars

A delectable dessert marrying the classic comfort of apple pie with the ease of bar-style baking. Featuring a buttery shortbread-style crust, tangy Granny Smith apples, and a rich pecan-studded topping, these bars are ideal for sharing at gatherings or enjoying with a warm beverage.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

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.