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–+ servings
Holding an apple pie bar showing the cinnamon apple center and buttery shortbread crust

Apple Pie Bars

Apple pie bars feature a rich shortbread crust layered with tender cinnamon apples and finished with a crumbly shortbread topping. This easy dessert offers classic apple pie flavor with clean slices, sturdy texture, and bakery style results.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 16

Ingredients  

Shortbread Crust

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg room temperature

Apple Filling

  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 lbs apples peeled and diced
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Method 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until apples soften slightly and the mixture looks glossy and thickened.
  • In a large bowl, combine butter, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Cut together until crumbly. Add the egg and mix gently.
  • Press 2/3 of the crust mixture into the prepared pan. Spread apple filling evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining crust mixture on top.
  • Bake 35 to 45 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Let cool completely before slicing to allow the filling to set.
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