All the flavors of apple pie in an easy dessert bar that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. These Apple Pie Bars are delicious year round and especially delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
Apple Pie! It’s the #1 most popular pie in the United States, and among the top 5 most popular desserts. I guess there’s good reason behind the phrase “American as apple pie.”
And since I’m always looking to make life a little easier, I decided to take everyone’s favorite dessert and make it just that: easy! These Apple Pie Bars have all the delicious flavors of apple pie, but they’re so much quicker and easier to make. No rolling, cutting, crimping, or lattice work required!
All you need is a handful of pantry ingredients, a can of apple pie filling, and hopefully some vanilla ice cream for on top. (Because apple pie might be in the top 5 desserts, but ice cream is the #1 favorite!)
These bars take about 10 minutes of prep time and 35 minutes in the oven, and they come out deliciously perfect every single time. Drizzle them with vanilla glaze OR, for a Dutch apple pie type feel, add a streusel topping before baking! They’re perfect for feeding a crowd and guaranteed to take over the top dessert spot in your rotation.
what you’ll need for this recipe
Crust: The “crust” for these bars is made with basic pantry ingredients like all purpose flour, granulated sugar, butter, eggs, baking powder, vanilla extract, and apple pie spice. I love the fact that I almost always have these ingredients on hand!
Filling: I used canned apple pie filling (1 20 ounce can) but homemade apple pie filling works well, too.
Drizzle: For the drizzle, I used a simple combination of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Feel free to add cinnamon or apple pie spice for extra flavor!
how to make apple pie bars
Make the crust. Prepare the batter and spread 3/4 of it in a greased 8×11 inch or 8×8 inch pan.
Add the filling. Spread the apple pie filling over the top of the batter.
Top with additional crust. Spoon remaining batter over the top. Not all of the filling will be covered.
Bake & drizzle. Bake at 375°F 35-40 minutes. Cool 15 minutes, then drizzle with vanilla icing.
Recipe Variations
- Make them gluten free by substituting almond flour or 1:1 gluten free flour
- Use any flavor of pie filling (peach, raspberry, blueberry, or any of your favorites!)
- Use homemade apple pie filling instead of canned
- Use a combination of pie filling flavors
- Add a streusel topping by combining 1/4 cup flour, 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, and 1 1/2 Tablespoons melted butter and sprinkling over the top before baking
- Add cinnamon to the powdered sugar glaze
- Skip the glaze and drizzle with caramel topping instead
storage tips
Apple Pie Bars can be stored, covered, at room temperature for 3-4 days. For longer storage, keep them covered in the refrigerator for up to one week. They can also be frozen in a freezer-safe ziploc bag or container for up to 3 months.
More Recipes Dessert Bar Recipes
Looking for more delicious dessert bar recipes? Check out these favorites!
Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter at room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 2 cups apple pie filling (one 20 ounce can)
Drizzle
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cream butter; add sugar and mix well.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients.
- Spread 3/4 of dough in a lightly grease 8×11 OR 8×8 inch baking pan.
- Spread apple pie filling over dough.
- Spoon remaining dough over pie filling, spreading lightly. *Not all pie filling will be covered.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until golden brown.
- Cool 15 minutes; combine drizzle ingredients and spoon over bars.
Notes
Recipe Variations
- Make them gluten free by substituting almond flour or 1:1 gluten free flour
- Use any flavor of pie filling (peach, raspberry, blueberry, or any of your favorites!)
- Use homemade apple pie filling instead of canned
- Use a combination of pie filling flavors
- Add a streusel topping by combining 1/4 cup flour, 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, and 1 1/2 Tablespoons melted butter and sprinkling over the top before baking
- Add cinnamon to the powdered sugar glaze
- Skip the glaze and drizzle with caramel topping instead
marcie says
I love bars like this, and I’m craving apples so much lately. These look incredible, Cathy! 🙂
Teresa says
These look so mouthwatering. A great fall treat.
Jess says
Yum! These look delicious! I love the combo of apple with crust and sweet drizzle! Good luck at your sale tomorrow! Hope you do well!
Lisa+@+Cooking+with+Curls says
I am a take everything to Salvation Army type of girl. I can’t stand the people that argue over something that is priced for 25 cents!! So it is better for everyone if I just give everything away…it’s much more peaceful that way, LOL. I hope your sale was a success Cathy, these bars definitely are…YUM!!
Meaghan+Voigt says
These bars look awesome! I love anything apple pie-like! How did the rummage go? I have so much to get rid of, but the task of getting ready for a yard sale sounds awful! You had beautiful weather, I hope you sold a ton! 🙂
Deb+@+Cooking+on+the+Front+Burner says
These bars look amazing Cathy! I just donated most of my dad’s house to good will when I was in NY – I would have loved to have had a sale but no time… I hope people find some treasures from it.
Emily says
Oh my goodness, I so need to make these!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
Perfect for fall!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
I am not a rummage sale type person but I am an apple person! love this bar!
Rachael says
You take such beautiful photos. And these look amazing. I bet my husband would love it if I made these!
Janet says
Do you have a recipe for the apple pie filling I can use in these bars? I have apples I need to use up, and this recipe looks delicious! Thank you!
Lorraine says
Hi, what size baking dish did you use for the apple pie bars?
Cathy Trochelman says
A 9×13 inch baking pan.
Leslie Kuva says
I have made these bars so many times and they are my husband’s favourite. I have also made this with rhubarb/strawberry and today blackberry. Thank you 👍