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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Blend butter, sugars, and vanilla until ethereally light and airy, then gently fold in flour and salt to create a uniform dough.
- 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.
- Initial Baking: Roast the crust at 190°C until achieving a rich golden hue, allowing complete cooling for optimal texture.
- Apple Caramelization: Transform apple slices in a skillet with butter, lemon juice, and warming spices, cooking until luxuriously soft and concentrated.
- Crumble Creation: Combine remaining dough with walnuts and cinnamon, fracturing into rustic, uneven clusters.
- 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.
- 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