Description
Deliciously buttery and tender apple pie bars featuring a crisp pastry base and crumbly topping, filled with tender, cinnamon-scented Bramley apples and finished with a sweet icing drizzle. Perfect as a comforting dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 250g cold butter, cut into cubes
- 350g plain flour
- 150g light brown soft sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp salt
Apple Filling
- 4 medium Bramley apples (around 900g), peeled, cored and cut into chunks
- 3 tbsp light brown soft sugar
- 1¼ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- ½ lemon, juiced
Icing
- 75g icing sugar
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- About 2 tsp water
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and tin: Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line an 18 x 28cm baking tin with baking parchment to prevent sticking and for easy removal.
- Make the pastry base: Place the cold butter, plain flour, 150g of brown sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 tsp salt into a food processor. Blitz the mixture until it comes together into a dough. Press two-thirds of this dough evenly into the prepared baking tin and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden. Keep the remaining dough chilled while making the filling.
- Cook the apple filling: In a pan, combine the apple chunks, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon (if using), and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften but do not break down completely.
- Assemble and bake the bars: Spread the cooked apples evenly over the baked pastry base. Break up the reserved dough and dot pieces evenly over the apple layer. Bake for another 15-20 minutes until the topping is cooked through and golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin.
- Prepare and drizzle the icing: Mix the icing sugar and ¼ tsp cinnamon in a small bowl. Add enough water (approximately 2 tsp) to create a thick but drizzling consistency. Drizzle this icing over the cooled apple pie bars.
- Slice and serve: Cut the bars into 12-16 squares. Store in an airtight container for up to three days.
Notes
- Use Bramley apples for the best tart flavor and texture; other cooking apples can be substituted.
- The cinnamon is optional but adds a warm spice note complementing the apple filling.
- Chilling the remaining dough helps it maintain a crumbly texture when baked on top of the filling.
- Baking in a fan oven at 160C ensures even cooking without drying out the bars.
- The bars can be served warm or at room temperature and pair wonderfully with custard or cream.
- Store in an airtight container for up to three days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: apple pie bars, Bramley apples, dessert bars, cinnamon apple dessert, baked apple bars, homemade apple pie, easy dessert
