Pioneer Woman Apple Pie Bars Recipe

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

Why Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars Are a Hit at Any Gathering
  • Savor Layers of Homemade Comfort: These apple pie bars pack multiple delightful textures from crumbly crust to tender apple filling, creating a mouthwatering dessert that feels like a warm hug from grandma's kitchen.
  • Craft Bakery-Quality Dessert at Home: The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an impressive treat with professional-level techniques like pre-baking the crust, carefully layering apple slices, and creating a crunchy pecan-studded topping that elevates home baking.
  • Enjoy Stress-Free Entertaining Dessert: These bars can be prepared ahead of time, serve a crowd easily, and offer make-ahead convenience without sacrificing taste – perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or weekend family desserts with minimal last-minute effort.
  • Experience Decadent Maple Glaze Magic: The final maple cream cheese glaze adds a luxurious finishing touch that transforms these bars from good to absolutely irresistible, bringing restaurant-style sophistication to a classic homestyle dessert.

What You’ll Need for Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars

Crust and Topping Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The base for creating a tender, crumbly crust that serves as the foundation of the bars.
  • Granulated Sugar, Light Brown Sugar: Sweeteners that provide depth of flavor and help create a golden, crisp texture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the crust ingredients together, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet aroma.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors in the crust.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Granny Smith Apples, Honey Crisp Apples: Tart and sweet apple varieties that provide texture and classic apple pie flavor.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a subtle tang and helps prevent apple browning.
  • Apple Pie Spice: A blend of warming spices that gives the filling its traditional apple pie taste.
  • Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel-like sweetness to the apple filling.
  • Cornstarch: Helps thicken the apple filling and prevent excess liquid.
Glaze and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Pure Maple Syrup: Provides a rich, natural sweetness with distinctive maple flavor.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess and tanginess to the glaze.
  • Confectioner's Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze with the right consistency.
  • Milk or Heavy Cream: Helps adjust the glaze's thickness and adds richness.
  • Pecans: Adds crunch and nutty flavor to the topping.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars

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

  • Unsalted butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Light brown sugar
  • Vanilla extract

Use electric mixer to blend ingredients until fluffy and light, about 4-5 minutes. Scrape bowl sides thoroughly.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt

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

  • Granny Smith apples
  • Honey Crisp apples
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Light brown sugar
  • Cornstarch
  • Apple pie spice
  • Salt

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

  • Pure maple syrup
  • Unsalted butter
  • Softened cream cheese
  • Confectioner's sugar
  • Milk or heavy cream

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

  • Prevent Apple Browning: Splash lemon juice over sliced apples to maintain their fresh color and bright flavor.
  • Create Flakier Crust: Refrigerate butter until ice-cold before cutting into flour for a perfectly crisp pastry texture.
  • Boost Glaze Richness: Gradually incorporate extra confectioner's sugar for a luxuriously thick and glossy topping.
  • Layer Apple Complexity: Blend sweet and tart apple varieties like honeycrisp and granny smith for deeper taste dimensions.
  • Control Moisture Level: Pat apple slices dry with paper towels to prevent excess liquid from making the crust soggy.

How to Store Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars

  • Airtight Container Method: Slide each bar between parchment paper sheets inside a sealed container. Protect the delicate pastry from absorbing other food odors and maintain crisp edges. Refrigerate up to 5 days for maximum freshness.
  • Freezer Storage Method: Individually wrap bars in plastic wrap, creating a tight seal against freezer burn. Transfer wrapped bars into a heavy-duty freezer bag, removing excess air to prevent ice crystals. Freeze confidently for 3 months, knowing your delicious treat remains perfectly preserved.
  • Thawing Technique: Transfer frozen bars to the refrigerator the night before serving. Allow gentle, slow defrosting to keep the texture and flavor intact. Unwrap completely before bringing to room temperature for the best taste experience.

Creative Twists on Pioneer Woman’s Apple Pie Bars

  • Caramel Apple Crunch Bars: Replace maple glaze with homemade caramel sauce, add extra chopped pecans for more crunch, and sprinkle sea salt on top for enhanced flavor complexity.
  • Rustic Cinnamon Streusel Bars: Increase apple pie spice, mix oats into the topping crumble, create a cinnamon streusel layer between apples and crust for added texture and warmth.
  • Nutty Maple Walnut Bars: Swap pecans for chopped walnuts, incorporate maple extract into the glaze, add ground walnuts to the crust mixture for deeper nutty undertones.
  • Spiced Bourbon Apple Bars: Splash bourbon into apple filling, add ground ginger and cardamom to spice mix, replace some maple syrup with bourbon in the glaze for a sophisticated adult version.

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

Pioneer Woman Apple Pie Bars Recipe


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4.9 from 12 reviews

  • 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

Scale

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Gently incorporate all-purpose flour and salt into the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until fully integrated.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

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.

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