Ina Garten’s Apple Pie Bars are the perfect dessert for anyone who loves the warm, comforting flavors of apple pie but prefers a more portable, easy-to-serve version. With a buttery, crumbly crust, tender spiced apples, and a walnut-studded topping, these bars combine the best of both worlds: a pie-like filling and a cookie-style crust. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, a family dinner, or simply craving a sweet treat, these apple pie bars are a guaranteed hit. They’re easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
Why Everyone Will Love This Recipe
What makes Ina Garten’s Apple Pie Bars so irresistible is the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The buttery, slightly sweet crust serves as the ideal base for the tender apples, which are spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg for that classic apple pie flavor. The walnut topping adds a satisfying crunch, and the bars are so easy to serve and eat, making them a great dessert for parties and gatherings. Whether you’re a fan of pie or prefer bar-style desserts, this recipe is bound to become a favorite.
What Are Ina Garten’s Apple Pie Bars?
Ina Garten’s Apple Pie Bars are a delicious take on traditional apple pie, with a buttery crust, spiced apple filling, and a walnut-infused topping. Made with two types of apples—Granny Smith and Golden Delicious—these bars have a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness. The dough is mixed with walnuts and cinnamon to create a crunchy topping that perfectly complements the soft, tender apples. Once baked, these bars are cut into squares, making them a convenient and irresistible treat to share.
Cooking Tips
- Use a mix of apples: Granny Smith apples provide a tart, firm texture, while Golden Delicious apples add sweetness. This combination creates the perfect filling. If you can’t find both types, feel free to use all of one variety.
- Chill the dough: After pressing the dough into the pan, be sure to refrigerate it for 20 minutes before baking. This ensures the crust holds its shape and bakes evenly.
- Customize the topping: If you prefer a nut-free version, you can skip the walnuts or replace them with oats for a different texture. You can also try adding a pinch of ginger or cloves to the apple filling for an extra layer of flavor.
- Make it ahead: These apple pie bars can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They actually taste better the next day as the flavors have time to meld together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of apples?
Yes! While Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples are ideal for this recipe, you can use any apples you prefer. A mix of tart and sweet apples gives the best flavor, but you can also use Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples.
Can I make the crust gluten-free?
You can try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. Be sure to use a gluten-free flour that can be substituted 1:1 for all-purpose flour, and the texture should be similar.
How can I make these bars more flavorful?
Feel free to add a touch of vanilla extract to the apple filling or sprinkle a bit of cinnamon and sugar on top before baking. You can also serve the bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Can I make these apple pie bars without a stand mixer?
Yes! While a stand mixer makes it easy to prepare the crust, you can use a hand mixer or even mix by hand with a wooden spoon. Just be sure to beat the butter and sugars until light and creamy before adding the dry ingredients.
How to Store
Store any leftover apple pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to stay fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
How to Freeze
To freeze the apple pie bars, first allow them to cool completely. Then, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place them in a freezer-safe container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to serve, let them thaw at room temperature or reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Apple Filling:
- 1 ½ pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, quartered, cored, and sliced
- 1 ½ pounds Golden Delicious apples, peeled, quartered, cored, and sliced
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 tbsp (½ stick) unsalted butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract on medium speed for 2 minutes, until light and creamy.
- Mix the dry ingredients: Sift the flour and salt together. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating until combined. Scatter two-thirds of the dough in clumps in a 9×13-inch baking pan and press lightly with floured hands to cover the bottom and sides. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Bake the crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the apples: In a large bowl, combine the sliced Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples with the lemon juice. Add the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and mix well.
- Cook the filling: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apple mixture and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Assemble the bars: Spread the apple filling evenly over the cooled crust, leaving a ½-inch border.
- Prepare the topping: Place the remaining dough into the mixer, add the walnuts and cinnamon, and mix on low speed until combined. Pinch medium-sized pieces of the dough with your fingers and scatter evenly over the apples (the topping will not fully cover the apples).
- Bake the bars: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown. Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares.
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