Flaky apple pie bars are a delightful dessert that combines the flavors of apple pie with the convenience of a bar. Here’s a recipe to make these delicious bars:
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup ice water
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 cups apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced, such as Granny Smith)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Make the Crust:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture.
- Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Slowly drizzle in the ice water and mix until the dough comes together. You may not need to use all the water.
- Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a flat rectangle, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Apple Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.
3. Assemble the Bars:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.
- Roll out one of the chilled dough rectangles to fit the bottom of the baking dish. Place it in the dish, pressing it down gently.
- Spread the apple filling evenly over the crust in the baking dish.
4. Make the Topping:
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, softened butter, and ground cinnamon. Use a fork or your fingers to create a crumbly mixture.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple filling.
5. Bake:
- Bake the bars in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
6. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares or bars.
7. Optional: Drizzle with Caramel Sauce:
- If desired, you can drizzle caramel sauce over the cooled bars before serving for an extra layer of sweetness.
Enjoy your flaky apple pie bars! They are a perfect treat for fall and a great way to enjoy the flavors of apple pie in a portable form.