Description
These apple pie bars are a masterful blend of a buttery shortbread crust, a tender cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and an irresistible crunchy oat streusel topping. Designed to mimic the soul-warming essence of a traditional apple pie without the hassle of rolling dough, these bars offer a perfect contrast of textures. Whether you are hosting a casual gathering or simply treating yourself to a cozy afternoon, this golden, bakery-quality dessert is a reliable testament to simple, honest, and nostalgic flavors.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cold salted butter, cubed
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
For the base, mix 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt in a bowl, then cut in the softened butter until crumbly.
Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 12 minutes.
In another bowl, toss the sliced apples with 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust.
In a separate bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, and cold cubed butter using your fingers or a pastry cutter until crumbly.
Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples in an even layer.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Notes
Ensure your apples are sliced thinly for even cooking. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg