I love apple pie any time of the year and especially in the fall. Apple Pie Bars are perfect to make when you are expecting a crowd or for a potluck dinner. These are so easy to make because I used canned apple pie filling spiced up with extra cinnamon and nutmeg. Of course, you can make your own filling if you like peeling apples! I wanted to create a dessert that could easily be made any night of the week and Apple Pie Bars are perfect.
Any type of pie filling would work well. Give them a try. I'm sure you will love them and make them over and over again.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 sticks butter, cubed (1 1/2 cups)
- 2 cans apple pie filling (21 oz each)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 3 or 4 tbsp milk
Directions
Put the flour, sugar and salt in the food processor fitted with the blade. Pulse once to mix the ingredients. Add the cold cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles small crumbs. (Photo A and B) This can be done with a pastry blender instead of the food processor.
Photo A
Photo B
Photo C
Photo D
Reserve 1 cup of crumbs for the topping. Add the pecans to the crumbs and set aside. (Photo D)
Line a 9 x 13 in dish with heavy duty foil. Spray with cooking spray. Dump the crumbs into a foil lined pan and pat down with your fingers. (Photo C)Bake at 350 degrees for 30minutes. Remove from the oven.
Pour the apple pie filling in a bowl and add the cinnamon and nutmeg. Gently mix the spices into the apples. (Photo E) Pour the mixture over the hot crust and spread out evenly. (Photo F and G)
Photo E
Photo F
Photo G
Photo H
Spread the reserved topping and pecans over the apples. (Photo H) Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 1 hour. Remove from the pan with the foil.
Peel back the foil from the sides. Mix together the powdered sugar, vanilla and milk. Add more milk as needed for the desired consistency. Drizzle on pie (Photo J) and cut into 24 bars.
Photo J