A warm, buttery slice of apple pie is the ultimate comfort food. But let's be honest, sometimes a full pie feels a bit daunting—both to make and to serve. That's where these "Warm and Cozy Apple Pie Bars" come in. They capture all the flavor of a classic apple pie in a convenient, shareable form.

These bars are the perfect solution for a fall gathering, a simple weeknight dessert, or a cozy Sunday treat with a cup of coffee. They feature three distinct, delicious layers: a tender, shortbread-like crust, a sweet and spiced apple filling, and a buttery, crumbly streusel topping. The entire kitchen will fill with the incredible aroma of cinnamon and baked apples, creating a truly irresistible atmosphere.

So, if you’re looking for a dessert that delivers all the nostalgia and warmth of a traditional apple pie with a fraction of the effort, you've found it. Let's get baking!

Warm and Cozy Apple Pie Bars

This recipe is designed for a 9x13-inch pan, making it perfect for feeding a crowd.

Yields: 12-16 bars

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 50-60 minutes

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Crust and Streusel Topping:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

For the Apple Filling:

  • 5-6 medium apples (about 2 ½ lbs), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For the Optional Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust and Topping

  1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.

  2. Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

  3. Cut in the butter: Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

  4. Reserve some for topping: Set aside 1 ½ cups of this mixture in a separate bowl. This will be your streusel topping.

  5. Form the crust: Press the remaining mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. This will form the shortbread crust. Bake for 15 minutes.

2. Prepare the Apple Filling

  1. While the crust is pre-baking, prepare the apples. In a large bowl, combine the thinly sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat all the apple slices evenly.

3. Assemble and Bake

  1. Add the filling: Once the crust is pre-baked, remove the pan from the oven. Spread the apple filling evenly over the warm crust.

  2. Add the streusel: Sprinkle the reserved streusel topping evenly over the apple layer.

  3. Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the apple filling is bubbly and the streusel topping is golden brown.

4. Cool and Glaze

  1. Cooling is key: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to cut them. This is crucial! If you cut them while warm, the bars will be messy and fall apart. It may take 1-2 hours to cool completely.

  2. Make the glaze (optional): In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars.

  3. Slice and serve: Once the glaze has set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve.

Pro-Tips for Perfect Bars

  • The Right Apples: Use a firm, crisp baking apple that holds its shape. Good choices include Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, or a blend of a few varieties.

  • Prevent a Soggy Bottom: The pre-baking step for the crust is essential. It helps the crust to firm up and prevents it from becoming soggy from the apple juices.

  • Patience is a Virtue: The cooling time is non-negotiable. Let the bars cool completely to ensure they hold their shape when you slice them.

  • Customize the Topping: For a nuttier topping, add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel mixture.

  • Serving: These bars are delicious on their own, but they're even better served slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.