Flaky apple pie bars are a delicious and portable alternative to traditional apple pie. They feature a buttery, flaky crust and a flavorful apple filling. Here’s a simple recipe for you to try:
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 cups peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples (such as Granny Smith)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Make the Crust:
In a food processor, combine the cold, cubed butter, flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust.
3. Bake the Crust:
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until it’s just starting to turn golden brown.
4. Prepare the Apple Filling:
In a large bowl, toss together the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until the apples are well coated.
5. Assemble the Bars:
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the partially baked crust.
6. Make the Crumb Topping:
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the crumb topping. Pour the melted butter over the mixture and stir until crumbly. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple layer.
7. Bake the Bars:
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
8. Cool and Serve:
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. Serve at room temperature and enjoy!
These flaky apple pie bars are perfect for a sweet treat, dessert, or even as a snack. Feel free to customize the recipe by adding chopped nuts to the crumb topping or serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
