Description
Irresistible flaky apple pie bars bring classic dessert comfort to handheld perfection. Warm spices and buttery crust create a delightful treat you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups apples, peeled and sliced
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Spices and Flavorings:
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Prepare the workspace by heating the oven to 375°F and lining a baking pan with parchment paper.
- Create the pastry base by combining flour and sugar, then incorporating cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water to the flour mixture, gently kneading until a cohesive dough forms. Refrigerate for half an hour to enhance texture.
- Remove chilled dough and roll out the first portion, carefully pressing it into the prepared baking pan to create an even bottom crust.
- Combine fresh apples with brown sugar, aromatic cinnamon, warm nutmeg, cornstarch, and fragrant vanilla in a mixing bowl, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
- Distribute the spiced apple mixture uniformly across the initial pastry layer, creating an even and consistent filling.
- Roll out the remaining dough and delicately place it over the apple layer, crimping and sealing the edges to prevent filling leakage.
- Brush the top crust with egg wash to achieve a golden, glossy finish.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the crust turns a rich, golden-brown color.
- Allow the baked dessert to cool completely before slicing into delectable bars, ensuring clean and precise cuts.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to ensure maximum flakiness and prevent shrinkage during baking.
- Use cold butter and work quickly when mixing the crust to maintain small butter chunks that create a tender, layered texture.
- Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and structure in the filling.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free blend and add a pinch of xanthan gum to improve texture.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg