Pioneer Woman Apple Pie Bars Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Apple Pie Bars recipe is a chewy and buttery recipe, which is made with Granny Smith apples and pecans. It’s the perfect fall dessert, ready in about 1 hour 45 minutes, plus cooling time.

Pioneer Woman Apple Pie Bars Recipe Ingredients

For the Crust and Topping:

• 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans

For the Filling:

• 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• 3 large Honey Crisp apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 1/2 tsp. apple pie spice
• Pinch of salt

For the Glaze:

• 3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 Tbsp. milk or heavy cream

How To Make Pioneer Woman Apple Pie Bars

1. Prep Oven and Make Crust: Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, sugars, and vanilla until airy, about 4-5 minutes. On low speed, mix in the flour and salt until just combined.
2. Press and Par-bake the Crust: With lightly moistened hands, press about three-quarters of the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, going slightly up the sides. Place the remaining one-quarter of the crust mixture in the refrigerator. Bake the crust for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Let it cool on a wire rack.
3. Make the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the apple cider vinegar. Add the brown sugar, cornstarch, apple pie spice, and salt, and toss well to coat all the slices evenly.
4. Assemble the Bars: Spread the apple filling evenly over the cooled crust. Take the reserved crust mixture from the refrigerator, combine it with the chopped pecans, and crumble it evenly over the top of the apples.
5. Bake Until Golden: Bake for 1 hour, rotating the pan halfway through, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
6. Cool Completely: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, for at least 1 to 2 hours.
7. Make the Glaze and Serve: In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the cooled bars out of the pan. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the top, then cut into squares and serve.

Recipe Tips

• How to get a non-soggy crust? Par-baking the shortbread crust for 20-25 minutes before adding the wet apple filling is the most crucial step. This creates a firm, sealed base that won’t get soggy.
• What are the best apples to use? This recipe smartly uses a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples. The Granny Smiths provide a tart flavor and hold their shape, while the sweeter Honeycrisps cook down a bit more, creating the perfect apple pie texture.
• Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, these bars are great for making ahead. You can bake them completely, let them cool, and store them, un-glazed, in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Add the glaze just before serving.
• How do I know when the bars are done? The topping should be a deep golden brown, and you should be able to easily pierce an apple slice in the center with a fork or a knife with no resistance.

What To Serve With Apple Pie Bars

These bars are a rich and complete dessert on their own, especially with the delicious maple glaze. For an extra decadent treat, serve a warm bar with:

• A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
• A dollop of fresh, sweetened whipped cream
• A drizzle of salted caramel sauce

How To Store Apple Pie Bars

• Room Temperature: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerate: For longer storage, you can keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Freeze: Let the bars cool completely (without the glaze). You can freeze the entire slab or individual bars, well-wrapped, for up to 3 months.

Apple Pie Bars Nutrition Facts

• Serving: 1 bar
• Calories: 460 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Sugar: 35g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Strawberry Pie Recipe
• Pioneer Woman French Silk Pie Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Caramel Apple Pie Recipe