Y’all, it’s fall! The leaves will eventually turn and it will only be 70 degrees plus all of the humidity down south. Despite the fact that it won’t be cool here until November, we are still taking the kiddos out to the apple orchard to pretend it’s fall! Apple pie is a classic fall favorite, but sometimes you want all that goodness in portable form and with a little spice! Enter the Spiced Apple Pie Bars.
Disclaimer:
I learned this spiced apple trick from none other than Cheryl Day. Instead of our basic fall spices we add a couple of things to make these bars just a bit more spicy.
Spiced Apple Pie Bar Ingredients:
Apples:
Choose your preferred apples for baking. For this recipe, I used granny smith apples because they are both crunchy and tart. I wanted the tartness of the apples to offset the sweetness of the filling and the crumb topping.
Let’s Add a Dash of Spice
I’m sure you’re expecting some combination of cinnamon and nutmeg. Maybe even some cardamom and vanilla extract. Don’t get me wrong, we’re definitely doing all of that, but first we’re using some Angostura Bitters, a splash of lemon juice and some white pepper. *rubs hands manically*
Crumb Topping
This recipe uses a classic crumb topping that consists of flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, melted butter and vanilla extract. I like to make the crumb topping early in the process to allow it to dry out slightly – making for better crumbs,
Recipe Notes:
The order of operations for these bars is
- Start with the apples. Peel, core, dice and spice the apples and set them aside.
- Then make the topping and set it aside.
- Make and Bake the Crust
- Assemble and Bake
These bars are a fantastic alternative to traditional apple pie. They're easier to make, perfect for sharing [but only if you want to share]. Spiced Apple Pie Bars are the epitome of fall comfort food. They combine the irresistible flavors of apple pie with the convenience of a bar! When you head to your local orchard to pick some fresh apples don’t forget to give this recipe a try.
PrintRecipe
Spiced Apple Pie Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
Description
Spiced Apple Pie Bars are a handheld alternative to classic apple pie– spiced with classic fall flavors and Angostura Bitters. They're easier to make, perfect for sharing, but only if you want to share:)
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
5 to 6 cups of peeled, cored, and diced apples (about 6 Granny Smith Apples)
1 tablespoon angostura bitters
Juice of ½ lemon
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
A pinch of salt
⅛ teaspoon ground white pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
⅓ cup heavy cream
For the Topping
1 ½ cup (6 ¼ ounces) unbleached all purpose flour
¾ cup (5 ¼ ounces) sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ cup 4 ounces unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Crust
1 ½ cups (6 ¼ ounces) unbleached all purpose flour
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter
1 large egg beaten
2 tablespoons ice water
Instructions
For the Apple Filling:
-
In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, angostura bitters, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt pepper, vanilla extract and flour and heavy cream. Set this bowl in the fridge until it’s time to assemble.
For the Topping
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon to ensure even distribution.
-
Pour in the butter and vanilla extract, stirring until the butter is absorbed. And the mixture makes evenly sized crumbs.
For the Crust:
-
Preheat the oven to 425°F (190°C) and line a 9x13 or 8x11 pan with parchment paper.
-
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
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Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter, grater or your fingers. Stir the cold butter into the dry ingredients.
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Drizzle the beaten egg over the mixture and toss until combined.
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Sprinkle in the ice water and stir until the dough starts to come together.
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Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
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Prick the dough with the fork and bake for 10-12 minutes. The crust should just be set.
To Assemble
Remove the parbaked crust from the oven. Quickly spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust in the baking pan. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the apple mixture.
To Bake:
-
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes and then reduce the oven temperature to 350ºF. Bake an additional 30-35, until the topping is brown and the filling is bubbly.
-
Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack.
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Once cooled, cut into bars and serve. You can dust the bars with powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Pies
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