Apple Bars
These apple bars are a two-in-one dessert that combines apple pie filling with a soft buttery crust, assembled like a cobbler. Each bite delivers a burst of juicy apples, melt-in-your-mouth coffee cake with a sweet glaze, and a hint of warmth from apple pie spice. They’re perfect for the Fall season!
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 30 min
- Yield
- 18 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (vegan butter or coconut oil for a vegan option)
- 1½ cups sugar (You can replace regular sugar with beet sugar if you prefer.)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon apple pie spice (This can be replaced with ground cinnamon or a mix of ground nutmeg and cinnamon.)
- 3 large eggs (at room temperature (Flax eggs or applesauce can be used as a vegan alternative).)
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract (Or, try almond extract instead.)
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour (You can try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.)
- 21 oz apple pie filling (Use store-bought or homemade apple pie filling, or try a mixture of stewed apples and cinnamon.)
- ½ cup confectioners' sugar (You can also make your own by blending 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream (Whole milk or half & half can be used for a lighter option.)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (or almond extract)
Instructions
- 1
To make these Apple Pie Bars, preheat your oven to 350°F(180°C) and lightly grease a 13 x 9 baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, salt, and apple pie spice.
- 3
Add the eggs, one at a time, and then the vanilla extract, mixing between each addition. TIP: Add 2 tbsp of the flour if your mixture starts to curdle!
- 4
Mix in the all-purpose flour but just until combined. Do NOT overmix! Set aside 1 cup of the dough for the topping!
- 5
Spread the dough in an even layer over the bottom of prepared baking pan. Next, top with the apple pie filling. Spoon the reserved dough over the top of the apple pie filling as if making a cobbler.
- 6
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the apple cobbler bars are set and lightly golden brown on the top. Transfer the pan to a wire rack, and let it cool before topping with glaze.
- 7
Make the Vanilla Glaze: In a small bowl, combine the 3 ingredients until smooth. If needed, adjust the thickness to reach a drizzling consistency. It must cling well to your spoon, yet drizzles easily.
- 8
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled apple bars. Let it set and then slice into 18 bars!