Homemade Apple Bars
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.
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.
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
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.
2: Mix the egg yolk and milk.
3: Mix the flour mixture and egg mixture to create the dough.
4: Roll half the dough out and place in a greased, 11x17 baking sheet.
5: Mix all the filling ingredients except the tapioca. Spread it evenly over the bottom crust and sprinkle with the tapioca.
6: Roll out the other half of the crust and cut into strips. Then, create a lattice pattern on top of the apple filling.
7: Brush the lattice with egg white wash and sprinkle it with sugar.
8: Bake until golden brown. Then, cool and cut into bars.
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
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.
FAQ
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.
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.
Shortening creates a dough that holds its shape better during baking, making it ideal for lattice crusts.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
You must use the category name, not a URL, in the category field.Homemade Apple Bars
These Homemade Apple Bars are a delicious homemade dessert with fresh apples layered on top of a light, flaky crust.
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
- To prepare crust, blend flour, shortening, and salt together. Put aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix egg yolk and milk together.
- When blended well, add this to the flour mixture, creating a uniform dough.
- Divide dough in half, setting one half aside.
- Roll the other half out on a floured surface to fit into a greased 11"x17" cookie sheet. Set aside.
- To prepare the filling, mix apples, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and flour. When mixed, pour over crust.
- Sprinkle tapioca evenly over the filling.
- Roll out the remaining dough the size of your cookie sheet and place it on top of the apple mixture.
- After whipping the egg white, brush it on over top of the crust.
- Sprinkle sugar over top of the crust.
- 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.
Get Inspired!
Never miss my delicious recipes, cute creations, or household tips!