Homemade Apple Bars

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These homemade apple bars are full of classic apple pie flavor in a fun bar form! These fresh apple bars are full of the apple cinnamon flavor we love in apple pie, along with a beautiful lattice crust topping.

Four homemade apple bars stacked atop one another on plate.

For most people, fall might be pumpkin season, but my family equally loves apples during the season. This apple bar recipe with fresh apples takes full advantage of in-season apples with a delicious filling full of apple pie flavor that you and your family will love.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It uses simple ingredients you can find in any grocery store.
  • It's an easy recipe that even beginners can make.
  • Every bite explodes with fresh apple pie flavor.
  • It's classic apple pie in a fun bar form!

Top Tip

It's important to add egg wash to your lattice topping. This creates that beautiful, golden brown color.

Closeup shot of forkful of homemade apple bar.

Ingredients

Both the crust and filling only take a few simple ingredients that you can find in your kitchen or at your local grocery store. It's all basic baking stuff!

All the ingredients are listed here, but you can find the exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.

For the Crust

  • All-purpose flour
  • Shortening - softened
  • Salt
  • Egg yolk
  • Milk

Filling

  • In-season apples - sliced
  • White sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Salt
  • All-purpose flour
  • Tapioca

Topping

  • Egg white
  • Sugar
Overhead shot of individual ingredients for fresh apple bars on table.

Instructions

This is an incredibly easy recipe that even beginners can make. It only takes a little mixing, then you just construct the bars and bake. That's it!

The recipe highlights are right here, but you'll find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

1: Mix the flour, shortening, and salt.

Overhead shot of mixing bowl with flour, shortening, and salt.

2: Mix the egg yolk and milk.

Overhead shot of bowl with milk and egg mixture.

3: Mix the flour mixture and egg mixture to create the dough.

Egg mixture being poured into bowlful of flour and shortening mixture.

4: Roll half the dough out and place in a greased, 11x17 baking sheet.

Overhead shot of crust dough in baking sheet.

5: Mix all the filling ingredients except the tapioca. Spread it evenly over the bottom crust and sprinkle with the tapioca.

Overhead shot of apple filling ingrdients in bowl.
Closeup overhead shot of apple filling spread over crust.

6: Roll out the other half of the crust and cut into strips. Then, create a lattice pattern on top of the apple filling.

Overhead shot of dough in lattice pattern on top of apple filling.

7: Brush the lattice with egg white wash and sprinkle it with sugar.

Closeup shot of egg wash being brushed onto lattice with silicone food brush.

8: Bake until golden brown. Then, cool and cut into bars.

Overhead shot of baked homemade apple bars in baking dish.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Use your favorite fresh apples for this recipe. They all work!
  • Try adding nutmeg, allspice, or mace to the apple filling.
  • Sprinkle the top with some cheddar cheese for super-rustic apple bars.

Equipment

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Baking sheet
  • Rolling pin
Spatula with homemade apple bar.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store for up to 4 days in an air-tight container.

Freezer: Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 3 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.

Reheat: Microwave the bars at 30-second intervals until heated through.

What to Serve with Homemade Apple Bars

Just like apple pie, this apple bar recipe with fresh apples is delicious with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea. You can also serve them with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Tips

  • Soften the shortening for the best crust texture.
  • Cut your lattice strips about 1/2-inch wide.
  • A pizza cutter is the easiest way to cut your dough into strips.
Four homemade apple bars stacked atop one another on plate.

FAQ

What are apple bars?

These homemade apple bars are a variation of apple pie. Essentially it's a sheet-pan version of apple pie that's then cut into slices.

What are the best apples for baking?

Any apples will work for this apple bar recipe with fresh apples. However, teh best of the best include Granny Smith, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

What does shortening do in pie crust?

Shortening creates a dough that holds its shape better during baking, making it ideal for lattice crusts.

More Delicious Dessert Recipes

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Yield: 32 bars

Homemade Apple Bars

Homemade Apple Bars

These Homemade Apple Bars are a delicious homemade dessert with fresh apples layered on top of a light, flaky crust.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • Crust:
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup softened shortening
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • Filling:
  • 7 sliced apples
  • 1 1/4 cups white sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons tapioca
  • Topping:
  • 1 egg white
  • white sugar

Instructions

  1. To prepare crust, blend flour, shortening, and salt together. Put aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix egg yolk and milk together.
  3. When blended well, add this to the flour mixture, creating a uniform dough.
  4. Divide dough in half, setting one half aside.
  5. Roll the other half out on a floured surface to fit into a greased 11"x17" cookie sheet. Set aside.
  6. To prepare the filling, mix apples, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and flour. When mixed, pour over crust.
  7. Sprinkle tapioca evenly over the filling.
  8. Roll out the remaining dough the size of your cookie sheet and place it on top of the apple mixture.
  9. After whipping the egg white, brush it on over top of the crust.
  10. Sprinkle sugar over top of the crust.
  11. Bake at 350ºF for 35-40 minutes or until crust is a golden brown.

This post was originally published on January 2, 2016. It has been updated with new images and content.

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34 Comments

  1. This has caught my attention, looks so yummy! I love apples so as my kids... and this one is a great way to use up this apples. Thanks for sharing! #fullplatethursday

    1. I can't wait until you try them! They are so simple and so delicious! A scoop of ice cream is a perfect match too!

  2. This is fabulous, Tanille. I hope you bring it over to Food on Friday. Cheers from Carole's Chatter

    1. Thank you for hosting and allowing me to participate! I will definitely be back to share and get many awesome ideas!

    1. If they are anything like my monsters, the apple bars won't last until morning. There are times that I stash one to be sure I have one to enjoy with my morning coffee. The joys of being a mom!!!

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    1. Thank you so much for featuring my Homemade Apple Bars! As a new blogger, I am so grateful for this opportunity! I will continue to visit your link parties and check out all your awesome creations! Thanks again!

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  9. Hi Tanille. Thanks for bringing your delicious Homemade Apple Bars to Fluster's Creative Party! I've shared your post on My Sweet Mission's Facebook page, Google+ and pinned them too!

    Have a sweet day.
    Heather
    MySweetMission.net
    Heather @MySweetMission.net recently posted...Co-Hosting at Creative Muster Party #148My Profile

    1. Thank you so much! They truly are amazing! I will be sure to check out your page soon to check out all your creations!

  10. Tanille, I had to stop by, late but here, and tell you how amazing these apple pie bars are! I am so glad you brought them to the Wonderful Wed. Blog Hop and I really wish I could just reach in the computer and put a plate out, or at least lick the screen! Seriously girl, these look out of this world screaming good. I have to give them a whirl soon!!! You're killing my diet tho, lol. Hope to see you at the WW Blog Hop again with another fabulous link-up and thank you so much for sharing. Carrie, A Mother's Shadow

    1. Thank you so much for the kind words! Being new to this, they mean so much to see. As for the Homemade Apple Bars...they have been killing my diet for years! I guess that is just the sacrifice I have to make! Have a great Thursday!

  11. Yum!! These apple bars look right up my alley..delicious! Thank you so much for coming over and sharing these at MMM! I am so glad that you came! 🙂
    Cathy

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  13. What is tapioca? Where do I get it and is there a substitute or an alternate that can be used? They look awesome awesome nd I would like to try them.

    1. Tapioca is a thickener. I am not aware of a close substitute. It is located right by the pudding. Good luck and I hope you love them as much as we do!

    2. Use 1 tablespoon of arrowroot, cornstarch, or flour for every 1 1/2 teaspoons of tapioca starch called for. Bear in mind, these substitutes may not be gluten-free.
      These substitutes are intended to replace the tapioca in pie fillings, cobblers, and similar dishes.

  14. Can't wait to try these! They look just like the apple bars my mom made! I've been looking for this recipe! Yay!

    1. I am so glad I could help! This recipe was passed from generation to generation in our family as well, and we love them!

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  16. Must not have followed direction... this dough wasn’t near enough to cover an 11x17. Not sure what I did wrong but mine was a big mess! Very sad.

    1. Oh no! So sorry to hear this. This is a family recipe that I have made more times than I can count. I am confident it will turn out for you the next time!

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