Easy & Delicious Pioneer Woman Apple Pie Bars Recipe
Pioneer Woman apple pie bars represent a delightful twist on classic dessert traditions.
Sweet aromas of cinnamon and freshly sliced fruit promise an irresistible experience for anyone craving comfort food.
Bakers who love homestyle treats will appreciate this simple yet elegant approach to creating something truly memorable.
Home kitchens transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary experiences through carefully balanced techniques and generous portions.
Fruit-filled pastry squares offer a more portable and shareable alternative to traditional pie servings.
Warm spices and buttery layers create a sensory journey that connects generations of home cooks.
Each bite promises a perfect balance of tender fruit and flaky crust: get ready to fall in love with this mouthwatering creation.
Why Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars Are a Hit at Any Gathering
What You’ll Need for Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars
Crust and Topping Ingredients:Filling Ingredients:Glaze and Finishing Ingredients:How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars
Step 1: Prepare Baking Station
Warm oven to 350°F. Spray 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Create Crust Base
Use electric mixer to blend ingredients until fluffy and light, about 4-5 minutes. Scrape bowl sides thoroughly.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
Add to butter mixture. Mix on low speed until fully combined.
Step 4: Shape Crust Layer
Moisten hands slightly. Press 3/4 of crust mixture across pan bottom and slightly up sides. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Store remaining 1/4 crust mixture in refrigerator.
Step 5: Initial Crust Baking
Bake crust until golden brown, approximately 20-25 minutes. Remove and cool on wire rack.
Step 6: Prepare Apple Filling
Slice apples, toss with ingredients, ensuring even coating.
Step 7: Layer Apple Mixture
Spread apple mixture evenly across baked crust, leaving small border. Tear reserved crust into pieces. Mix with chopped pecans, scatter over apples.
Step 8: Final Baking
Bake 1 hour, rotating pan halfway. Ensure apples are fork-tender and topping turns golden brown. Cool completely (1-2 hours).
Step 9: Craft Luxurious Glaze
Whisk ingredients until smooth and silky.
Step 10: Serve Delectable Bars
Lift bars using parchment paper. Place on cutting board. Drizzle glaze evenly. Slice into squares. Savor your homemade treat!
Pro Tips for Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars
How to Store Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars
Creative Twists on Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars
Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars: A Perfect Fall Dessert
Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars embody pure autumn magic.
Rich layers of buttery crust, spiced apples, and nutty pecans create perfect harmony.
Maple glaze adds luxurious sweetness to each delectable bite.
Homemade comfort radiates through these irresistible bars.
Weekend baking goals reach delicious new heights with this recipe.
Passionate bakers, share this mouthwatering creation, spark culinary conversations, hit those like buttons, and spread delightful apple-infused joy across social media platforms.
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Pioneer Woman Apple Pie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Ree Drummond’s Apple Pie Bars deliver classic midwest comfort with a delightful twist. Buttery pastry, spiced apple filling, and crumbly streusel topping create an irresistible dessert that invites you to savor each sweet, homemade bite.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 large Honey Crisp apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Sugar and Sweeteners:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ¾ cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
Spices, Seasonings, and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 ½ teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 ounce (28 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Coat a 9-by-13-inch (23-by-33-centimeter) baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment paper for effortless removal.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together unsalted butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Thoroughly scrape the bowl’s sides and bottom.
- Gently incorporate all-purpose flour and salt into the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until fully integrated.
- Using slightly dampened hands, press approximately 75% of the crust mixture into the pan’s bottom and lower sides. Chill the crust for 15 minutes. Refrigerate the remaining 25% of the crust mixture for later use.
- Bake the crust until it achieves a golden-brown hue, about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.
- Combine Granny Smith and Honey Crisp apple slices with apple cider vinegar in a large bowl. Fold in light brown sugar, cornstarch, apple pie spice, and a pinch of salt, ensuring the apples are evenly coated.
- Distribute the apple mixture uniformly over the baked crust, maintaining a small border around the edges. Crumble the reserved crust mixture and mix with chopped pecans using your hands. Sprinkle this crumbly topping over the apples.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 1 hour, rotating midway through, until apples become tender and the topping turns golden brown. Let the bars cool completely in the pan, which may take 1 to 2 hours.
- Whisk together pure maple syrup, unsalted butter, softened cream cheese, sifted confectioner’s sugar, and milk or heavy cream in a medium bowl until the glaze becomes smooth and well-blended.
- Once completely cooled, lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper. Transfer to a cutting board, drizzle with glaze, slice into squares, and serve.
Notes
- Chill the crust mixture for 30 minutes to develop a sturdy, crumbly texture that holds together perfectly when sliced.
- Mix apple varieties like Granny Smith and Honey Crisp to balance tartness and natural sweetness in every bite.
- Rotate the baking pan halfway through cooking to guarantee uniform golden-brown color and even apple filling distribution.
- Let the bars cool completely for at least 2 hours, allowing them to set firmly and creating clean, precise cutting lines.
- Drizzle the maple cream cheese glaze just before serving to maintain its glossy, luxurious appearance and enhance the overall presentation.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 464
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 42 mg
Ethan Miller
Founder & Lead Content Writer
Expertise
Education
Portland Community College
Culinary Institute of the Pacific
Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.
He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.