Apple Pie Bars

If comfort had a smell, it would be a tray of freshly baked Apple Pie Bars cooling on your kitchen counter. Warm, buttery, and delicately spiced, these bars combine the nostalgia of a classic apple pie with the ease of a tray bake. Think of them as your lazy-Sunday dessert hero, the kind that looks fancy but takes almost no effort.

And yes, this version is completely vegetarian and doesn’t require any complicated steps or fancy gadgets. Just good, old-fashioned ingredients and a bit of apple-spiced magic.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Pie Bars

Traditional apple pies are wonderful, but they take time. There’s the rolling, the chilling and then, of course, the cleanup. Apple Pie Bars skip all that drama while keeping every bit of the cozy flavor.

Here’s why you’ll want to bake them on repeat:

• Easy to make: No pie dish or pastry rolling required.
• Buttery shortbread base: Melts in your mouth, crumbly, and perfectly sweet.
• Warm spiced apple filling: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup make the house smell divine.
• Perfect for sharing: Slice into neat squares for dessert, brunch, or sneaky midnight snacking.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and prepare

Preheat your oven to 170°C (350°F). Line a 9 inch (23cm x 23cm x 7.5cm) square baking tin with parchment paper. This makes it easy to lift the bars out later. If you have a tin with a removable base, it makes lifting the bars out much easier once cooled.

Step 2: Cook the apple filling

In a medium-small pot, combine apples, boiling water, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, elachi, and vanilla essence. On medium-low heat, stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 8–10 minutes or until the apples are tender and the liquid thickens slightly. After the apples have cooked through, feel free to add in flaked almonds or other nuts of your choice for an extra crunch. Set aside while you make the crust.

Step 3: Make the shortbread crust

In a large bowl, beat butter and icing sugar until creamy. Add maizena and cake flour, mixing until a soft dough forms – it should feel like buttery playdough.

Step 4: Bake the crust

Gently press ¾ of the dough evenly into the prepared tin – don’t compact it too hard, or it won’t bake through. Poke holes in the crust with a fork to help it bake evenly. Bake for 15 ± minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.

Step 5: Assemble and bake again

Spread the warm apple filling over the baked crust. Grate the remaining dough over the filling for a crumbly top. Bake again for ±25 minutes, until the edges are golden.

Step 6: Cool and serve

Let the tray cool completely before slicing. This helps the bars firm up and keeps the slices neat. Dust with icing sugar before serving.

Serving Suggestions

These Apple Pie Bars are versatile. Enjoy them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or chilled with your morning coffee. They even make a lovely edible gift, just wrap a few in parchment and tie them with twine for that “I-baked-these-with-love” vibe. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, drizzle a bit of caramel sauce on top.

Storage Tips

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Fridge: Keeps for up to a week, just warm slightly before serving.

These bars taste just as good reheated in the oven as they do fresh out of the pan.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Pink Lady. They hold their shape and don’t turn mushy.
• Butter matters: Using a mix of butter and margarine gives a tender, soft shortbread base with a hint of buttery flavor. Pure butter gives a richer taste, but the combination works well for a slightly lighter texture.
• Balance your spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg are warm, while cardamom adds a little floral surprise. Adjust to your taste.
• Check the crust: The crust is ready when the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. Avoid over-compacting the dough so it bakes evenly.

FAQs

Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely. In fact, they taste even better the next day once the flavors have settled.

Can I use store-bought apple pie filling?
You can, but homemade gives a fresher, spicier flavor and better texture. Plus, it’s less sweet.

What if I don’t have maple syrup?
Honey or golden syrup works fine. Maple just gives it that cozy, caramel-apple note.

These Apple Pie Bars are proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. A simple shortbread base, a sweet-spiced apple filling, and a bit of love, that’s all it takes. Whether it’s dessert, tea time, or a family gathering, these bars will be gone before you know it.