About
Here's a treat so good you'll swear it comes from a bakery... even as you pull it from your own oven! Apple Pie Bars are everything you love in a fall-favorite dessert, in miniature form. Featuring tender spiced apples, a buttery crust, and a creamy maple-infused glaze on top, Apple Pie Bars can liven up your next party or sweeten a quiet evening in. It's an autumn confection of epic (taste) proportions!
Ingredients
- For the crust and topping:
- nonstick cooking spray
- 4 sticks unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- For the filling:
- 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 large Honeycrisp apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- salt, to taste
- For the glaze:
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 ounce cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream
Directions
Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 -Prepare a 9x13-inch baking pan by greasing it with nonstick cooking spray, then, line the pan with parchment paper. Allow the parchment paper to overhang on two of the sides.
Step 3 -Next, using a mixer, beat the granulated sugar, 3/4 cup of the brown sugar, 4 sticks of the butter, and the vanilla in a large bowl until it is fully combined.
Step 4 -Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl.
Step 5 -Add 1 teaspoon of the salt and the flour, then mix on low speed until well combined.
Step 6 -Lightly moisten your hands with water, then press about 3/4 of the crust mixture into the bottom and sides of the prepared pan.
Step 7 -Put the remaining 1/4 of the crust mixture in the refrigerator until needed. This will serve as the topping to the bars later on.
Step 8 -Refrigerate the pan for 15 minutes to chill the butter within the dough and create a flakier crust. Then transfer the pan to the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Set on a wire rack to cool.
Step 9 -In a large bowl, toss the vinegar and the apple slices together.
Step 10 -Add the cornstarch, the remaining brown sugar, the apple pie spice, and the extra salt, tossing well to coat.
Step 11 -Spread the apples out evenly over the crust in the pan, leaving a small border around the edges.
Step 12 -Tear apart the reserved crust topping mixture into small pieces. Using your hands, incorporate the pecans into the dough and evenly scatter the mixture over top of the apples.
Step 13 -Bake until the topping is golden-brown and the apples are fork-tender, about 1 hour. Then, let it cool for 1-2 hours in the pan.
Step 14 -In a medium bowl, mix together the remaining butter, the maple syrup, the powdered sugar, the cream cheese, and the milk. Whisk until smooth and fully combined.
Step 15 -Once the bars are cool, lift them up out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang, then set them onto a cutting board.
Step 16 -Drizzle evenly with the glaze.
Step 17 -Cut into squares and serve!
