Glazed Apple Pie Bars

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 45 min. + cooling

Makes

2 dozen

Updated: Sep. 13, 2023
This is only one of many wonderful recipes that my mother handed down to me. With their flaky crust and scrumptious fruit filling, these delicious apple pie bars are the perfect way to serve apple pie to a crowd.—Janet English, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup shortening
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 8 to 10 tablespoons cold water
  • FILLING:
  • 7 cups finely chopped peeled apples
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • Dash ground nutmeg
  • GLAZE:
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon 2% milk
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks, lemon juice and water; gradually add to flour mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide in half. Chill for 30 minutes.
  2. Roll out 1 portion of dough between 2 large sheets of waxed paper into a 17x12-in. rectangle. Transfer to an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Press crust onto bottom and up sides of pan; trim even with top edge.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg; spread into crust. Roll out remaining dough to fit top of pan; place over filling. Brush edges with water or milk; pinch to seal. Cut slits in top.
  4. Bake at 375° until golden brown, 45-50 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Combine glaze ingredients until smooth; drizzle over bars.
Apple Pie Bars Tips

What kind of apples can you use to make apple pie bars?

Tart, firm apples are generally the best apples for baking. But the best tip I've heard is to make sure it's an apple you love to eat!

What else can you put on top of apple pie bars?

If you want to top these apple pie bars with something other than the glaze, salted caramel is an indulgent addition. Cinnamon sugar, confectioners' sugar or raw sugar are also great options. If you like, top each bar with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A flavored whipped cream would go nicely here, too—think of flavors that complement apple pie, like coffee whipped cream, bourbon whipped cream or the cinnamon whipped cream in this pumpkin-chocolate tart recipe.

How do you serve apple pie bars?

Fruit pies (including snack-sized versions of apple pies, like these apple pie bars) taste better either warm or at room temperature. Refrigeration can make the flavor fade. These bars do need to cool a bit so the glaze will set, but if you prefer them heated up, you can always put them in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.

How should you store apple pie bars?

These apple pie bars go by the same rules as apple pie. If you're wondering if apple pie needs to be refrigerated, the answer is no—an airtight container at room temperature is best. Generally, baked goods last anywhere from 3 to 5 days stored in an airtight container at room temperature, and these apple pie bars will, too. Try these tips to help baked goods stay fresher for longer.

Can you freeze apple pie bars?

Yes, you can freeze apple pie bars. We recommend letting them cool and cutting them into bars before freezing, then storing them in an airtight container between layers of waxed paper. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 4 months. Once you've finished up your apple pie bars, check out more apple pie-inspired recipes!

–Rashanda Cobbins, Taste of Home Food Editor, and Hazel Wheaton, Taste of Home Book Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 264 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 121mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.