🥧 Flaky Apple Pie Bars – A Handheld Slice of Autumn Heaven

If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert that captures the spirit of a classic apple pie without the need for a fork and plate, you’ve just found it. These Flaky Apple Pie Bars are every bit as delicious as homemade apple pie, but easier to serve, store, and share. With a melt-in-your-mouth crust, tender spiced apples, and a sweet vanilla glaze, this is a dessert your family and friends will request again and again.

Whether you’re baking for a potluck, a picnic, a fall gathering, or just a cozy evening at home, these apple pie bars are a guaranteed hit. The flaky crust, rich apple filling, and soft vanilla drizzle create an unbeatable trio of textures and flavors.


🍏 Why You’ll Love These Apple Pie Bars

  • Flaky, Buttery Crust: Made from scratch with shortening for maximum tenderness.
  • Sweet, Cinnamon-Spiced Apples: The classic apple pie flavor you crave.
  • Vanilla Sugar Glaze: Adds a bakery-style finish with a touch of sweetness.
  • Portable and Shareable: Easier to slice and serve than traditional pie.
  • Tried and True: This recipe uses time-tested techniques that deliver every time.

🍎 Let’s Talk Ingredients

Here’s how each ingredient plays a role in making this dessert truly unforgettable.

For the Crust:

  • All-Purpose Flour (2½ cups) – Forms the sturdy but flaky base and top crust.
  • White Sugar (2 tbsp) – Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the tart apples.
  • Salt (½ tsp) – Enhances all the other flavors.
  • Shortening (1 cup) – Provides the flakiest texture (you can sub half with butter for extra flavor if desired).
  • Egg Yolks (2) – Contribute to richness and tenderness.
  • Milk (½ cup) – Moistens the dough and brings it together.

For the Filling:

  • Apples (9, peeled, cored, and sliced) – Choose firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for best texture and flavor.
  • White Sugar (¾ cup) – Sweetens the apples.
  • Ground Cinnamon (½ tsp) – Classic warm spice that brings it all together.
  • Egg Whites (2) – Brushed onto the crust layers for golden color and to help seal in moisture.

For the Glaze:

  • Confectioners’ Sugar (1½ cups) – Creates a smooth, sweet drizzle.
  • Milk (3 tbsp) – Adjusts the glaze consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract (1 tsp) – Adds depth and aroma.
  • Pinch of Salt – Balances the sweetness.

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This step ensures easy release after baking.

2. Make the Crust

In a medium bowl, combine:

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt

Cut in 1 cup shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can use a pastry blender, two knives, or clean hands.

In a separate bowl, combine:

  • 2 egg yolks
  • ½ cup milk

Add this mixture to the flour mix and stir gently just until combined.

Tip: Overmixing will make the crust tough. Mix until it just comes together.

3. Roll the Bottom Crust

Divide the dough in half. Roll out one half on a lightly floured surface to fit the bottom of your prepared pan. Press it in gently and brush with a light coating of egg white.

4. Add the Apple Filling

Layer 9 peeled, cored, and sliced apples evenly over the bottom crust. Sprinkle with:

  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

This forms the heart of your apple pie bars—sweet, tangy, and warmly spiced.

5. Top It Off

Roll out the second half of the dough and gently place it over the apples. Pinch edges lightly to seal. Brush the top with the remaining egg white for a shiny, golden finish.

6. Bake

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a knife.

Tip: Rotate your pan halfway through baking for even browning.

7. Cool and Glaze

Let the bars cool completely in the pan—this helps them set up for clean slicing.

While cooling, prepare your glaze:

  • Beat together 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 3 tbsp milk in a small bowl until smooth.

Drizzle over the cooled bars in a zigzag pattern or spread evenly with a spoon.

8. Slice and Serve

Once the glaze has set, cut the bars into squares or rectangles and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days—or refrigerate for up to 5.


🍽 Serving Suggestions

These flaky apple pie bars are perfect for:

  • Holiday parties or dessert tables
  • School events or bake sales
  • Afternoon coffee or tea
  • Brunch spreads with sausage, quiche, or muffins
  • Topped with vanilla ice cream for an easy à la mode twist

🧊 Storage and Freezing

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Freeze baked and cooled bars (without glaze) for up to 2 months. Add glaze after thawing.

Reheating: Warm slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-baked taste.


🔁 Variations to Try

  • Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans between the apple layers for crunch.
  • Use pie spice: Sub cinnamon with apple pie spice for extra depth.
  • Caramel twist: Drizzle with caramel instead of (or in addition to) vanilla glaze.
  • Mixed fruit: Mix apples with pears or cranberries for a seasonal variation.

💬 Final Thoughts

These Flaky Apple Pie Bars offer all the joy of homemade apple pie in a convenient, no-fuss format. With their golden, tender crust, sweet cinnamon apple filling, and soft vanilla drizzle, they’re destined to become a staple in your recipe collection. Whether you’re baking for your family or impressing guests, this recipe proves that classic desserts don’t need to be complicated.

So go ahead—try it. You will not regret it. In fact, you might just fall in love at first bite.


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🥧 Flaky Apple Pie Bars – A Handheld Slice of Autumn Heaven

Flaky Apple Pie Bars
Everything you love about apple pie—flaky crust, cinnamon-sweet apples, and a sugar glaze—in easy-to-serve bar form.

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tbsp white sugar

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 cup shortening

  • 2 egg yolks

  • ½ cup milk

Filling:

  • 2 egg whites

  • 9 apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)

  • ¾ cup white sugar

  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

Glaze:

  • 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar

  • 1 pinch salt

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 3 tbsp milk

 


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan.

  2. In a bowl, mix flour, 2 tbsp sugar, and salt. Cut in shortening until crumbly.

  3. In another bowl, whisk egg yolks and milk. Stir into flour mix until dough forms.

  4. Roll half the dough and press into pan. Brush lightly with egg white.

  5. Layer sliced apples on dough. Sprinkle with ¾ cup sugar and cinnamon.

  6. Roll out remaining dough and place on top. Brush with remaining egg white.

  7. Bake 35–40 minutes, until golden brown. Cool completely.

  8. Mix glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 15–20 bars
Storage: Room temp 3 days | Refrigerated 5 days | Freeze up to 2 months

 


  • Author: niold.com

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