The Perfect Fall Indulgence -Delicious and Easy Apple Pie Bars with a Shortbread Crust

These Easy Apple Pie Bars with a buttery shortbread crust may sound and look a little intimidating at first glance, but trust me, they’re simpler to whip up than you’d think! With the perfect balance of tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp or Gala apples, this recipe checks off all the boxes for what a fall treat should be—cozy, flavorful, and oh-so-satisfying. Warm spiced apples, a cinnamon crumble, and a drizzle of maple glaze top the rich, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread base, elevating these bars to a whole new level.

The Perfect Fall Indulgence -Delicious and Easy Apple Pie Bars with a Shortbread CrustPhoto byBuckets of Yum

Whether you're heading to a fall potluck, tailgating party, or Halloween gathering, this recipe makes a generous 9x13-inch pan—plenty to share. So, if you’re looking for a dessert that screams fall without the hassle of a full pie, these bars are your go-to!

The Perfect Fall Indulgence -Delicious and Easy Apple Pie Bars with a Shortbread CrustPhoto byBuckets of Yum

ProTips:

1. Chill the shortbread crust. After pressing the shortbread dough into the pan, let it chill in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes. This helps the crust firm up, ensuring a crisp, buttery base that doesn’t shrink when baking.

2. Pre-bake the crust. Blind baking the shortbread crust for 18–20 minutes before adding the apples and crumble topping will prevent a soggy bottom and keep the bars firm when sliced.

3. Use a mix of apples. Combine tart Granny Smith apples with sweet Honeycrisp or Gala apples for the perfect balance of flavors. This will give your bars a depth of flavor and texture.

4. Thin, even apple slices: Slice your apples evenly but not too thick. This ensures they cook at the same rate, and you’ll avoid having some undercooked while others are too soft.

5. Don’t overmix the crumble topping. When making the cinnamon crumble topping, use cold butter and mix just until it forms coarse crumbs. Overmixing will result in a dense topping rather than a light and crispy one.

6. Use real maple syrup. For the maple glaze, make sure you use real maple syrup (not pancake syrup) for the best flavor. It adds a rich, authentic sweetness that perfectly complements the cinnamon-spiced apples.

7. Drizzle the glaze after your bars have cooled. Let the bars cool before drizzling the maple glaze. This will prevent the glaze from melting into the crumble, ensuring that it stays on top for a beautiful, sweet finish.

8. Store and serve: These bars store well in the fridge for up to 3 days, but take it from me, they will never last that long!

The Perfect Fall Indulgence -Delicious and Easy Apple Pie Bars with a Shortbread CrustPhoto byBuckets Of Yum

Ingredients:

Shortbread Crust

• 3 sticks of butter, melted
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups of flour

Apple Pie Filling

• 5 cups of apples (sliced thinly and peeled).
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon clove

Cinnamon Crumble Topping

• 1 cup oats (old-fashioned)
• 2/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
• 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 1 stick of cubed butter (makes sure it's very cold!)

For the Vanilla Maple Glaze

• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1/3 cup of pure maple syrup
• 1 cup of confectionary sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

The Perfect Fall Indulgence -Delicious and Easy Apple Pie Bars with a Shortbread CrustPhoto byBuckets Of Yum

Directions:

Shortbread Crust:

1. Line your 9 x 13-inch dish with parchment paper. Allow enough parchment paper to overhang on the sides. This will aid in lifting out your bars once they cool down. Place to the side.
2. Using a stand mixer, pour your melted butter into a medium-sized bowl along with the sugar, salt, and vanilla. Put your mixer on medium speed until well combined. Gradually add your flour until it's all combined. Take your mixture and press it into the prepared baking dish with your hands. Place in the fridge and allow to chill for 15-20 minutes.
3. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and once your mixture has chilled, place it in the oven and bake until golden brown, around 18-20 minutes.

Apple Pie Filling:

1. While your crust is baking, prepare your apples. Peel and thinly slice. Using a medium-sized bowl, take your apple pieces and toss in the flour, sugar, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove). Stir to combine. Place to the side.

Cinnamon Crumble:

1. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and oats to a medium-sized bowl. Using two forks or a pastry cutter (or, if you are like me, your fingers), cut in your cubed butter. Continue doing this until your mixture looks like coarse crumbs.

Assemble Your Bars:

1. After the crust has finished baking, raise the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your apples on top of the shortbread crust. Make sure you add them in an even layer. Next, sprinkle your cinnamon crumble on top. Once your oven has reached temperature, place your bars in it and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Your crumble topping will be a golden brown when done.
2. After completing your bars, let them cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. After that, store them in the refrigerator and let them cool down for a minimum of one hour.

Maple Glaze:

1. Melt the butter and pure maple syrup in a small saucepan. Once melted, whisk in your confectionary sugar and vanilla.
2. Once your bars have completely cooled, remove them from the baking dish using the parchment paper, and drizzle your glaze all over the top. It will take about 60 minutes for your glaze to set. Once set, cut your bars and enjoy!

Enjoy Friends! ❤️

The Perfect Fall Indulgence -Delicious and Easy Apple Pie Bars with a Shortbread CrustPhoto byBuckets of Yum