Easy Apple Pie Bars

ByBrooke Burks Published: Modified:
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There is one thing that I absolutely love this time of year, and it’s apples. Today we are celebrating “all things apple” with our EASY APPLE PIE BARS recipe! All month long we are focusing on the apple, the most delicious fall produce, and we are going to show you how to make a simply scrumptious apple pie dessert with these easy-to-make, delicious bars!

A plate of apple pie with a fork and apples.

You’re going to be using your hands to mix up your crust, so remember what we say around here all the time: “A cook’s best tools are clean hands!” You can easily work in and bunch up your butter and dry ingredients this way, and puff up your pastry!

Just like our EASY HOMEMADE APPLE PIE, this recipe has everything you want in an apple pie, but this time around it’s presented in awesome apple pie bars!

Ingredients

Sugar, flour, cinnamon and freshly-ground nutmeg really coat those apples with amazing flavor! Set them aside while working on your crust and let them soak up all the goodness!

A wooden countertop with a speckled mixing bowl, a bowl of diced apples, containers of flour and sugar, an apple slicer, a peeler, and salt and pepper shakers arranged neatly on top.

What You’ll Need

  • Apples – we use gala as they are sweet and cook easily.
  • Sugar– granulated and powdered will be needed for this recipe.
  • All purpose flour – plain and we don’t use a lot.
  • Cinnamon and Nutmeg – grate your own!
  • Butter – keep it cold!
  • Eggs– just a couple and we separate the yolks from the whites.
  • Milk and Half and Half – full fat really is best here for the milk and half and half for the glaze.
  • Salt – a must in every sweet recipe!

See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.

A slice of apple pie with white icing sits on a blue and white plate, next to a gold fork. Behind it are two red apples, a glass baking dish of pie, salt and pepper shakers, and a glass jar.

Why You Will Love These Easy Apple Pie Bars

  • Cinnamon, nutmeg and apples love each other! – these are so very yummy together, and are perfect any time of the year . . . but especially in the fall!
  • An easier alternative to traditional apple pie – if you’re a little intimidated by making the full-on apple pie, this recipe has got your name written all over it.
  • Great to “make and take” – Let the dish cool, cut up your bars and take them to your gatherings and events for sure-fire dessert hit.

Instructions

While there are several steps to this tasty treat, it’s still simple and easy to get together!

A hand holds pieces of chopped apples over an empty speckled mixing bowl on a wooden surface, surrounded by containers of flour, sugar, a bowl of more chopped apples, an apple slicer, and a spice jar.

Prep the apples by washing, peeling and cutting into bite size cubes.

A hand pours sugar from a green measuring cup into a bowl of chopped apples. Nearby are a flour container with a scoop, a peeler, an apple slicer, and jars of cinnamon and nutmeg on a wooden countertop.

In a large bowl, add apples and sugar.

A person prepares an apple mixture in a bowl with chopped apples and granulated sugar, while holding a container of flour. Measuring cups, a peeler, an apple slicer, and spices are on a wooden countertop.

Mix in all purpose flour.

A person sprinkles ground nutmeg from a spice jar into a bowl of chopped apples on a wooden cutting board. A blue measuring cup, apple slicer, and peeler are nearby.

Fresh nutmeg.

A person in a red sleeve holds a jar labeled “Cinnamon Ground” above a large bowl with sliced apples and sugar. An apple slicer, peeler, measuring cup, and jar lid are on a wooden countertop.

And cinnamon. Toss to coat apples and set aside.

A person holds a measuring cup filled with flour over a large white mixing bowl on a wooden cutting board, using a spoon to level off the flour. A stove is visible on either side of the cutting board.

In another large bowl, add in the all purpose flour for the crust.

A hand holds a spoonful of sugar above a white mixing bowl filled with flour on a wooden cutting board. A container of sugar and a glass measuring cup with water are nearby. The scene is on a stovetop.

Granulated sugar.

A person wearing a red sleeve and a watch adds salt to a large white mixing bowl with flour. On the cutting board are chopped butter, a bowl with an egg yolk, and a bowl with egg whites. The scene is on a stove.

And salt.

A person in a red sleeve adds cubed butter into a white mixing bowl filled with flour. Two small bowls with egg yolks and egg whites are on the wooden countertop next to the bowl.

Add in the cold, cubed butter.

A person wearing a red sleeve and watch mixes dough in a white bowl on a wooden cutting board. Two bowls beside the main bowl contain eggs, and the scene is set on a black stovetop.

Cut in the butter with fingers, a pastry cutter or two forks or knives. Just until dough looks like peas.

A person holds a small bowl with beaten eggs over a mixing bowl containing flour on a wooden cutting board. An unbroken egg is in a separate small bowl nearby.

Whip and add the egg yolks.

A person holds a bottle of whole milk and a measuring cup above a bowl of flour and cracked eggs on a wooden cutting board. Two small bowls with eggs are nearby on the counter.

And cold, whole milk. Mix just until a rough dough is formed.

Two hands mix flour and dough on a wooden surface next to an empty mixing bowl; the dough appears partially combined with some flour still visible.

Turn dough out onto a board and press together in a mound.

Hands in a red sleeve shaping dough on a wooden cutting board. A knife is placed nearby, and flour is scattered across the board. The scene is on a stovetop.

cut into two equal portions and work each portion into a uniform dough. Not too much!

A person in a red sleeve presses dough flat with their left hand on a wooden cutting board. A ball of dough, a rolling pin, and a knife are visible, with flour scattered across the board.

Roll out one of the dough sections to fit the bottom of your pan.

A person presses pie dough into a glass baking dish on a wooden surface. A rolling pin, dough ball, and knife dusted with flour are nearby. The baking is being done on a stovetop.

Shape and press into the bottom of a 9×13 pan that has been lightly sprayed with non stick spray.

A person in a red sleeve holds a bowl with a whisked egg over a rectangular baking dish lined with dough. A rolling pin, knife, flour, and extra dough are on a wooden cutting board.

Brush with egg whites, reserving the remainder.

A hand uses tongs to arrange chopped apples in a glass dish on a wooden cutting board. Nearby are a ball of dough, a rolling pin, a knife, and some spilled flour.

Add in the apple mixture evenly.

A person wearing a red sweatshirt uses a wooden rolling pin to roll out dough on a floured wooden cutting board placed on a stove.

Roll out the other crust to fit the top of the pie bars.

Person in a red sleeve rolls out dough over a glass baking dish filled with chopped apples on a wooden surface, preparing to cover the filling for baking. Flour is scattered on the board.

Carefully place on the top.

A person holds a small glass bowl and uses a green pastry brush to coat the top crust of an unbaked pie in a rectangular glass dish on a wooden surface dusted with flour.

Cut or shape the top crust and brush lightly with the rest of the egg whites. Bake at 350° for about 30 to 40 minutes until browned. Allow to cool a bit.

A slice of apple pie with icing on top sits on a blue and white plate with a fork. Behind it, a glass dish with the rest of the pie and whole apples are visible.

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We prepare a glaze with about 1.5 cups of powdered sugar and 3-4 tablespoons of half and half until it is our desired consistency. Glaze and enjoy!

A person wearing a white chef's hat and gray shirt is smiling and holding two wooden spoons. They are leaning forward over a white table next to a silver laptop displaying the Apple logo. The background is plain white.

Why Brooke loves this recipe!

Recipes are like antiques. They are meant to be handed down from one generation to another. Each one holding a special memory or nostalgic memory. Here is why we love this one!

Logo for "The Buttered Home" featuring a butter churn in the center enclosed by a circular design. The text "EST 2018" is on either side of the churn. Below the circle, the text reads "THE BUTTERED HOME" with the tagline "home cooking made easy" underneath.

This recipe is sure to be a big seaonal favorite around your house. It certainly is around here! Plus, if you’re making this dessert for a crowd of folks, these apple pie bars will make everyone happy and go a bit further than a normal apple pie will! Everyone will love grabbing a bar (or three!) and having an easy to handle (and eat!) dessert!

Substitutions & Variations

With this recipe, I can think of a few customizations to help get you going.

Toppings – for a more decadent topping, drizzle some warm caramel on top, or plop down a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Nutmeg – some people don’t like nutmeg, so feel free to leave that out, if need be. Nutmeg isn’t for everyone, but it can add warmth to the dish and enhance the cinnamon flavor.
Powdered sugar – you can top it with powdered sugar, if you don’t want the sweeter glaze.

A slice of apple pie with a golden-brown crust and white icing sits on a blue-patterned plate, with a blurred whole pie and a red apple in the background.

Helpful Equipment

I love to share recipes that have no special equipment required, but here are some things that will make this recipe easier!

MY FAVORITE MIXING BOWLS
MY FAVORITE APPLE SLICER/CORER
AN EXCELLENT WOOD ROLLING PIN

A slice of apple pie with a golden-brown crust and visible apple filling, topped with three lines of white icing, sits on a blue and white patterned plate. An apple and a fork are in the background.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

Make ahead of time: These are great to make ahead of time for events and gatherings! Let it cool, cut it into bars and box them up for folks to enjoy wherever you take them!
Storage: Keep the bars in an airtight container on the counter for a couple days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can even freeze them for up to 3 months.

A slice of apple pie with icing on top sits on a blue and white plate with a fork. In the background, there is a baking dish of pie, two red apples, and two small blue and white jars.

⭐ LOVE THIS RECIPE? It would mean so very much to me if you would take a moment to rate this recipe and leave me a sweet comment in the recipe card below! ❤️❤️We hope you love all of the Southern and healthy recipes we share here at The Buttered Home and would love to see you back here often!

**DON’T MISS OUR TIPS AND TRICKS BELOW THE RECIPE CARD!

A slice of glazed apple pie with icing sits on a blue and white plate in front of a glass baking dish and two whole apples on a dark surface. A fork rests on the plate beside the pie.

Easy Apple Pie Bars

These delicious and easy-to-make apple pie bars are an excellent alternative to the traditional apple pie!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 34 minutes
Total Time 39 minutes
Serving Size 12

Ingredients

For the Crust

  • 2.5 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter cold and cubed
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup whole milk

For the Filling

  • 8 cups apples peeled and cubed
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

For the Glaze

  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 Tbsps half and half

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Instructions

  • Peel and cut apples into bite size pieces. Add to a a large bowl. Mix in flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Toss to coat. Set aside.
    8 cups apples, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Preheat oven to 350° In another large bowl, Add in all purpose flour, sugar and salt. Whisk or sift to combine. Add in cold, cubed butter and cut in with hands, pastry cutter or two forks until resembles small peas. Mix in egg yolks and milk just until combined.
    2.5 cups all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup butter, 2 egg yolks, 1/2 cup whole milk
  • Turn dough onto a floured surface and press together to form a large ball. Cut the ball in half and work them into a cohesive dough separately, careful not to over work. roll out and place one in the bottom of a 9×13 greased pan. Brush lightly with egg white. Roll out the other and set aside.
  • Pour apple mixture over the top of the bottom crust and spread evenly. Top with other crust shaping to fit over the top. Brush top crust with egg whites. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool
  • Serve plain or mix up a glaze with powdered sugar and half and half, adding liquid in small amounts until glazes reaches your desired thinness or thickness.
    1.5 cups powdered sugar, 4 Tbsps half and half

See How To Make It!

Notes

*PRO TIP – use an apple corer to more easily cut your apples. This makes them easier to cut with a knife already broken down.
A slice of apple pie with icing sits on a blue patterned plate with a fork. The pie has a flaky crust and visible apple filling. In the background are whole apples and a baking dish with more pie.

🍴 PRO TIP!

Apples are my favorite seasonal produce, and they’re always our household’s favorite for desserts in the winter and fall. Whenever word gets around here at home that I’m making them, Big D will always be popping in throughout the day to ask “Are those apple pie bars ready?”

🗹 RECIPE FAQ’S

What kind of apples are best?

We love to use Gala apples, but you can certainly use your favorite. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Red Delicious are all great!

How long should I allow this to cool?

Let the dish cool for 30 minutes to an hour. This will ensure that everything sets up well before you slice the bars.

Can I add my own toppings??

You sure can! While these bars are great on their own, feel free to drizzle some caramel on top, sprinkle them with some powdered sugar, or even scoop up a little vanilla ice cream and add it!

If you make this recipe, be sure and post it to Facebook or Instagram and tag us. We love pictures of food.

Also, if you pin this recipe, we would appreciate that when you make it, you use the Made It function in Pinterest too. 

And don’t forget to subscribe to our YOUTUBE channel for some great tutorial videos!

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Looking for other great recipes like this? Try these:

If you make this recipe, be sure and post it to Facebook or Instagram and tag us. We love pictures of food.

Also, if you pin this recipe, we would appreciate that when you make it, you use the Made It function in Pinterest too. 

And don’t forget to subscribe to our YOUTUBE channel for some great tutorial videos!

Brooke signature

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