Cozy Autumn Magic: Barefoot Contessa’s Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Warm, golden apple pie bars whisper comfort and nostalgia with every delectable bite.

Sweet autumn memories dance through this beloved Barefoot Contessa apple pie bars recipe that captures the essence of homemade goodness.

Each bar promises a perfect balance of tender apples and buttery crust that melts in your mouth.

The delightful combination of cinnamon, brown sugar, and fresh fruit creates an irresistible treat that feels like a warm hug.

Layers of flaky pastry embrace soft, spiced apple filling in a dessert that’s both rustic and elegant.

Simple ingredients come together to craft a dessert that celebrates the pure joy of baking.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to savor a slice of pure, comforting bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients for Apple Pie Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy foundation for the crust, choose unbleached flour for richer flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender texture, select high-quality butter for best taste.
• Caster Sugar: Ensures smooth, delicate sweetness, helps create light crust structure.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes, enhances overall richness of the base.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm aromatic depth, use pure vanilla for most authentic flavor.
• Salt: Balances sweetness, enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Apples: Select firm baking varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, ensure consistent texture and tartness.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning, adds bright acidic balance.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps caramelize apple mixture.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, classic spice profile.
• Nutmeg: Adds subtle earthy warmth, complements apple and cinnamon.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates silky cooking medium for apples.

• Walnuts: Introduces nutty crunch, toast briefly for enhanced flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon: Reinforces spice layer, ties topping to filling.

Tools You’ll Need for Apple Pie Bars

• Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugars, and mixing dough ingredients smoothly.
• 9×13-inch Baking Tin: Perfect for creating the bar's base and ensuring even baking.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Great for tossing and preparing apple filling.
• Large Skillet (25cm): Ideal for cooking and softening apples with butter.
• Sifter: Helps blend flour and salt evenly without lumps.
• Spatula: Useful for spreading and scraping ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing bars after cooling.

Apple Pie Bars Baking Guide

• Oven Preparation

Set the oven temperature to create the perfect baking environment for these delectable treats.

• Dough Foundation

Blend sugars and butter until smooth, gradually incorporating flour to create a silky, rich base.

• Crust Creation

Press most of the dough into a baking pan, forming elegant edges that will cradle the apple filling.

• First Bake

Allow the crust to transform into a golden, crispy foundation that will support the luscious apple layer.

• Nutty Crumble Topping

Mix remaining dough with crunchy walnuts and warm cinnamon to create a textural contrast.

• Apple Magic

Transform fresh apples in a sizzling pan, coaxing out their natural sweetness and softening them to perfection.

• Layered Assembly

Gently spread the caramelized apple mixture over the waiting crust, then sprinkle the crumbly topping like a delicate blanket.

• Final Bake

Let the bars transform in the oven, developing a golden, crispy top that promises incredible flavor.

• Cooling and Serving

Patiently wait for the bars to cool completely, then slice into squares of pure comfort and joy.

How to Customize Apple Pie Bars

• Swap walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty twist that adds exciting texture and flavor to your bars.
• Prepare the entire dessert up to two days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
• Mix different apple types like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious to create a complex, balanced filling with varying sweetness and tartness levels.
• Experiment with additional warm spices like cardamom or ginger to elevate the classic cinnamon profile and introduce unexpected depth to your apple bars.
• Enhance these bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent dessert that transforms a simple treat into a memorable experience.

Serving Style for Apple Pie Bars

• Sprinkle with Powdered Sugar Delight: Dust the cooled apple pie bars with a light layer of powdered sugar for an elegant, sweet finishing touch that adds visual appeal and extra sweetness.
• Serve with Creamy Companion: Pair these bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the warm, spiced apple filling and create a delightful dessert experience.
• Create Perfect Picnic Treats: Cut the bars into portable squares, wrap individually in parchment paper, and pack for outdoor gatherings, making them an ideal grab-and-go dessert for family picnics or potlucks.
• Present on Rustic Serving Platter: Arrange the bars on a wooden board or vintage ceramic plate to highlight their homemade charm and showcase the golden-brown crust and generous apple filling.

How to Keep Apple Pie Bars Fresh

• Slice Strategically: Cut bars into uniform squares for easy portion control and elegant serving. Store individual pieces in airtight containers to maintain freshness.
• Refrigerate for Longevity: Keep apple pie bars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or place in sealed containers to prevent moisture loss and preserve texture.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Package bars in freezer-friendly containers or wrap individually in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months for a delightful make-ahead dessert option.
• Revive and Serve: Thaw frozen bars in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in the oven at 150°C (130°C fan)/300°F for 10 minutes to restore that fresh-baked taste and crisp crumble topping.

Rustic Barefoot Contessa Apple Pie Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa apple pie bars blend classic dessert flavors with convenient bar form. Delicate pastry and warm spices create a comforting treat that welcomes you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 680g (1.5 lbs) Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 3mm (⅛ inch) thick
• 680g (1.5 lbs) Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 3mm (⅛ inch) thick
• 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
• 50g (¼ cup) caster sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
• 55g (4 tbsps) unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Blend butter, sugars, and vanilla until ethereally light and airy, then gently fold in flour and salt to create a uniform dough.
2. Base Formation: Press two-thirds of the dough into a 9×13-inch baking tin, sculpting a slightly raised perimeter, then chill for structural integrity.
3. Initial Baking: Roast the crust at 190°C until achieving a rich golden hue, allowing complete cooling for optimal texture.
4. Apple Caramelization: Transform apple slices in a skillet with butter, lemon juice, and warming spices, cooking until luxuriously soft and concentrated.
5. Crumble Creation: Combine remaining dough with walnuts and cinnamon, fracturing into rustic, uneven clusters.
6. Assembly and Final Bake: Layer caramelized apples across the pre-baked crust, generously crown with walnut-cinnamon crumble, and return to the oven at 175°C until the topping turns a burnished golden brown.
7. Serving: Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into elegant squares, revealing layers of tender apples and crisp, nutty topping.

Notes

• Chill the Crust: Refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes to prevent shrinkage and maintain a crisp, structured base during baking.
• Master Apple Caramelization: Cook apples slowly to remove excess moisture, creating a rich, concentrated flavor without making the filling soggy.
• Crumble Technique: Pinch the topping into irregular pieces for a rustic, textured look that provides delightful crunch and visual appeal.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices and help the filling set properly.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg