Heavenly Apple Pie Bars Recipe: Effortless Sweet Treats

Sweet, buttery, and bursting with cinnamon-spiced apple pie bars offer a delightful twist on the classic dessert.

These golden-brown treats capture the essence of homemade comfort in every single bite.

Crisp autumn apples nestled between a tender, crumbly crust create a mouthwatering melody of flavors.

Each bar promises a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes that dance across your palate.

The rich, flaky pastry complements the soft, caramelized apple filling, making this dessert irresistibly delectable.

Warm spices and a golden-brown topping guarantee a dessert that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this irresistible recipe and let your taste buds celebrate the magic of a timeless favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 75 minutes

Calories: 295 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients That Make Apple Pie Bars Special

• Cookie Mix: Provides a quick, convenient base with rich buttery flavor and crumbly texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together, creating a tender and cohesive dough structure.
• Butter: Adds richness, moisture, and helps create a golden, crisp crust.
• Cinnamon Mixture: Offers warm, aromatic spice that complements the apple filling.
• Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps create a caramelized, crispy top layer.

• Apple Pie Filling: Delivers a luscious, sweet-tart apple experience with soft, tender fruit pieces.

• Milk: Adjusts glaze consistency, creating a smooth, drizzleable topping.
• Glaze: Provides a sweet, glossy finish that adds extra indulgence to the dessert.

Tools for Baking Perfect Apple Pie Bars

• 8×8 Baking Dish: Essential square pan for perfectly shaped bars.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining cookie mix, egg, and butter.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for mixing glaze and cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Great for mixing dough and spreading ingredients.
• Cooling Rack: Helps bars cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Sharp Knife: Used for cutting bars into clean, precise squares.

How to Make Apple Pie Bars Step-by-Step

Sweet Apple Comfort

• Warm Kitchen Setup Kitchen ready with clean surfaces and preheated oven.
• Dough Foundation Blend soft cookie mix with creamy butter and fresh egg until smooth texture forms.
• Base Layer Press most of prepared mixture into greased baking pan, creating solid foundation.
• Apple Magic Spread delicious apple filling generously across initial layer.
• Crumbly Topping Scatter remaining dough pieces across apple landscape.
• Spice Sprinkle Dust cinnamon sugar mixture over entire dessert surface.
• Baking Adventure Place pan in hot oven, allowing golden transformation for about 50-55 minutes.
• Cooling Moment Let dessert rest completely at room temperature.
• Sweet Finish Whip together simple glaze, drizzling delicately across cooled bars.
• Serving Delight Cut into beautiful squares, ready for family enjoyment.

Pro Tips & Flavor Swaps for Pie Bars

• Dice 2-3 fresh Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples instead of using pre-made filling for a homemade touch and extra texture.
• Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the top layer for delightful crunch and rich, earthy flavor.
• Enhance the cinnamon mixture with ground nutmeg or cardamom to create a more complex, warm spice profile.
• Use a gluten-free cookie mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

Serving Ideas for Warm or Chilled Apple Bars

• Picnic Perfect Treat: Pack these bars for outdoor gatherings, potlucks, or family reunions where portable desserts are a hit.
• Dessert Companion Delight: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate the flavor profile and add a creamy contrast.
• Coffee Break Indulgence: Pair with a hot cappuccino or chai latte for an afternoon sweet moment that transforms your regular coffee break into a special experience.
• Festive Holiday Option: Slice into bite-sized pieces for holiday parties, making them easy to share and enjoy during Christmas or Thanksgiving celebrations.

Storing Apple Pie Bars Without Losing Texture

• Fridge Fresh Technique: Store apple pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Chilled bars maintain their delicious texture and prevent rapid spoilage.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire batch 1-2 days before serving. This allows flavors to meld and develop a richer taste profile, making your dessert even more delectable.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen bars can last up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Serving Smart Tip: Remove bars from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Room temperature treats always taste more indulgent and have a more satisfying texture.

Golden Apple Pie Bars

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 75 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful apple pie bars showcase classic American dessert flavors in a convenient handheld treat. Sweet cinnamon-spiced apples nestled between buttery crumble layers create a simple yet irresistible bakery-style experience you can savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 21 oz (595 g) canned apple pie filling
• 17.5 oz (496 g) Krusteaz snickerdoodle cookie mix
• ½ cup (113 g) butter, room temperature
• 1 egg, beaten
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsps milk (mix to desired consistency)
• Reserved cinnamon mixture from Krusteaz snickerdoodle cookie mix

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prep Station: Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring all ingredients and tools are readily accessible.
2. Crust Formation: Thoroughly mix the cookie base with egg and melted butter, kneading until a uniform, pliable pastry dough forms, creating a solid foundation for the dessert.
3. Base Layer: Press two-thirds of the prepared dough evenly across the pan’s bottom, creating a smooth, consistent base that will support the apple filling.
4. Filling Distribution: Spread the apple pie filling comprehensively over the dough layer, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor integration.
5. Topping Technique: Crumble the remaining dough across the apple filling, generating a rustic, textured surface that will provide visual and textural contrast.
6. Flavor Enhancement: Sprinkle the reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the top, intensifying the dessert’s aromatic and sweet profile.
7. Baking Process: Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, monitoring until the surface achieves a golden-brown hue and emits a tantalizing aroma.
8. Cooling and Finishing: Allow the baked creation to cool completely at room temperature, enabling the layers to set and flavors to meld harmoniously.
9. Glaze Preparation: Craft a smooth, drizzle-friendly glaze by gradually incorporating milk until reaching the ideal consistency for elegant decoration.
10. Final Presentation: Drizzle the prepared glaze across the cooled dessert and slice into individual square servings, ready to delight eager palates.

Notes

• Prepare Precisely: Use an 8×8 inch baking pan for consistent bar thickness and even baking results.
• Dough Distribution Technique: Press two-thirds of the dough firmly to create a stable, compact base that prevents crumbling.
• Apple Filling Strategy: Spread apple mixture evenly to ensure each bar contains a balanced amount of fruit and flavor.
• Cooling Critical: Allow bars to cool completely before adding glaze to prevent runny, absorbed topping and maintain crisp texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 295
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 205 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 36 mg