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–+ servings

Apple Pie Bars

It's apple season and what better way to celebrate then with these apple pie bars?! They have a buttery, shortbread crust, sweet apple filling, and a cinnamon and cardamom streusel topping. They come together quickly and are incredibly delicious.
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 16 bars

Ingredients
 

Shortbread Base

  • ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups (250 grams) all purpose flour

Filling

  • 6 (700 grams) large apples
  • ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ cup (31 grams) all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Streusel

  • ⅓ cup (67 grams) granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup (84 grams) all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter melted

Instructions

Shortbread Base

  • Preheat your oven to 300F and line a 9 inch pan with parchment paper with overhang on at least two sides. This will make it easier to remove the bars from the pan. Set aside.
  • In a medium sized bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt until combined. Add the flour and fold together until a dough forms. Press the dough into an even layer into the bottom of your pan.
  • Pre-bake the shortbread crust for 20-23 minutes until golden. Remove from the oven and bump up the temperature to 350F.

Filling

  • While your shortbread base is baking, make the filling. Peel and slice your apples into ⅛-1/4 inch slices.
  • Add them to a bowl with the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, flour, and lemon juice. Toss together until the apples are all evenly coated and layer them on top of your shortbread base.

Streusel

  • Whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon and cardamom. Pour in the melted butter and mix until the mixture resembles wet sand. Sprinkle the streusel on top of the apples.
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes until the apple juices are bubbling and the streusel is golden brown. Let cool at room temperature for one hour, then in the fridge for an additional 2-3 hours until the filling has set. Slice and enjoy! Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
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