Apple Pie Bars
Filled with apples and cinnamon, these Apple Pie Bars are a fun and tasty Fall treat!
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As a young boy growing up in South Carolina, I always loved taking the trip up to the rolling hills outside of Greenville to visit my grandparents. We’d pick blackberries, go fishing and eat watermelon by (and sometimes in) the pool all day. Sometimes we’d mix it up and hunt for pirates’ treasure near the barn. (My grandparents didn’t live anywhere near the ocean, but that didn’t keep me from stubbornly believing that pirates’ treasure was indeed buried somewhere in that old barn.)
While there were many awesome things about my grandparent’s huge yard, one of the things that I didn’t care much for was the fig tree. This tree was rather large, and it leaned up against the side of the old garage. It seemed like that tree was always loaded with figs…but I actually didn’t care much for figs back then. My grandfather would make jars upon jars upon jars of fig preserves, but I just didn’t care for the flavor. (Now I would be all about those figs, but that’s another story.)
Now that we’ve established that figs weren’t my favorite fruit as a kid, can we talk about Fig Newtons? Ah, those iconic little treats that always ended up in my lunchbox at school. But I didn’t like them! I’d trade my Fig Newtons for something else. On a side note, how funny is it to think back to trading lunch items? Can you imagine doing that with your coworkers today? “Hey, I’ll trade you half of my tuna fish sandwich for some of those salt-and-vinegar chips?”
Apple Pie Bars
Apple Pie BarsWhile Fig Newtons weren’t exactly my favorite, I did love Apple Newtons. They’re essentially the same chewy cookie as Fig Newtons, but just filled with apples instead. Score! So in an effort to recreate this childhood favorite, I hit the kitchen the other day with the intention of making my own version of Apple Newtons.
The result wasn’t exactly the same as an Apple Newton, though. The dough wasn’t nearly chewy enough to call these apple newtons. But as soon as I took the tray out of the oven, I realized that I had essentially created apple pie bars. The dough was crumbly in a good way like pie dough, and the filling was perfect. Needless to say, I was pretty happy about this creation. It wasn’t the Apple Newton that I had set out to make, but these bad boys were still quite delicious!
Note: These Apple Pie Bars taste best when served fresh from the oven. Once allowed to rest, the dough becomes soft. To serve leftovers, just reheat them for about 5 minutes in the oven or until the tops are lightly crispy again. We actually just tossed the leftovers in the toaster oven for 3-4 minutes, and they were delicious. Oh, and we served these with a scoop of Maple Bourbon Ice Cream on top. Perfection!
Did you make these Apple Pie Bars at home? Leave a comment. Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog)! Happy baking!
Looking for more tasty apple recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
Deep Dish Apple Pie
Dutch Apple Pie
Apple Streusel Coffee Cake
Apple Cider Doughnuts
Maple Glazed Apple Pecan Bread
Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 3 medium apples peeled and diced (I prefer Granny Smith apples for this recipe)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- ½ Tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
For the Dough
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole wheat flour
- cinnamon-sugar for topping the bars once baked
Instructions
For the Apple Filling
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with the lemon juice and sugar until well coated.
- Grease a baking pan with the butter and spread apples evenly on pan.
- Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Once cool, mix the apples with the cinnamon and applesauce until smooth.
For the Dough
- Using a countertop mixer, cream together the sugar and butter until smooth (~2-3 minutes on medium speed).
- Add egg, vanilla, and cinnamon; mix until smooth.
- Add both flours and mix until a smooth dough forms.
For the Apple Pie Bars
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking trays with parchment paper; set aside.
- Divide dough into two pieces of equal size. Working with one piece at a time, place dough on a well-floured countertop. Roll into a long rectangle about 4” x 20”. (Note: Essentially roll this dough as thin as possible before it begins to tear.)
- Use a spoon to spread half of the apple mixture in a 1” line down the center of the dough.
- Fold both sides over the filling and then pinch dough seam together.
- Slice into bars and transfer onto parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Repeat process with remaining piece of dough.
- Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes, or until tops of bars are crispy and light golden brown.
- {Optional} Sprinkle tops of bars with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Let cool slightly, but serve warm. (For leftovers, reheat in oven or toaster oven until tops turn crispy again.)
I think you should just rename your blog “the place to go for all delicious Autumn recipes”. Although, that title isn’t very catchy. This is such a delicious way to use apples David. I wish I had time to make these right away.
Hahaha…thank you so much, Dannii! I do love Autumn and its’ crisp apples, colorful leaves and cooler temps. Granted, we only have the crisp apples here so far…but it’s coming! 🙂
Apple pie bars, Apple Newtons . . whatever!! Doesn’t matter, they look fabulous! I’m so excited for apple and pumpkin recipes!
Me, too, Alice! I’ve been stalking the apples for a while now…and it’s finally time! But I’ve got my eye on those pumpkins, too. Haha!
“The dough was crumbly in a good way like pie dough, and the filling was perfect” and “Oh, and we served these with a scoop of Maple Bourbon Ice Cream on top. Perfection!” makes me think David – you are such a tease! All these drool-inducing descriptions in one post! C’mon now! I’m negotiating a drone with a glass cutter – look out back door at the Spiced home! 🙂
So jealous your grandfather had a fig tree – I think I would have stayed out there all day and eaten my weight in figs!
A tease? A tease? You have the recipe, Shashi! There is nothing teasing about that! If I was all like “oh, this is sooooo good, but I’m not sharing the recipe”…well, that’s a tease. Psh. Tell me about it re: that fig tree…what I wouldn’t do to have that tree now! The people who live in that house now are mighty lucky!!
I’m pretty sure that apple pie bars and maple bourbon ice cream is the most perfect combination ever! These bars look fantastic – I’ll have to tuck this recipe away for later, when I’ll have an abundance of orchard-fresh apples. I’ve never understood the appeal of Fig Newtons, either! I’m glad I’m not alone in that…
Haha…I couldn’t agree more! I mean, the apple pie bars didn’t need the ice cream…but we had it in the freezer. And I couldn’t handle the thought of letting those bars get lonely. Hah! Apple Newton fans unite!! *high-five* 🙂
You are killing me with all these amazing Fall and apple posts! I’m a big fan of hand held foods and the applesauce addition is a smart move. These are beauties! #Drooling
Yeah! These bad boys are like hand held pies. 🙂 The applesauce was a fun way to get the texture that I was after for the filling. It’s apple season here in NY…it might not feel like it (yet) but it is most definitely apple season!
Fruit newtons? Never heard of this dessert. But what a lovely name for apple pies! Nice creation indeed, David! Perfect summer treat. Needless to say I wish you had created something lavender (am I being intimidating haha?) but I’ve basically lost any hope:) Well done!
Ah, don’t lose all hope, Ben. I might just have to go pull that dried lavender out of the pantry and whip up something fun. I just like to keep you guessing! But in the meantime, grab an apple pie bar and take a seat! 🙂
Do you know that Fig Newtons are named after a small town in Massachusetts?
So this apple “things” should be calls Apples Saratogas, right? 😉
No matter the name they look seriously delish. Great job my friend!
#WolfpackNames
I did not know that, Mike…how did you know that? I bet it’s because you invented them! Apple Saratogas…I love that name! Whatever they’re called, they’re really tasty…and perfect for Fall. Thanks!
““Hey, I’ll trade you half of my tuna fish sandwich for some of those salt-and-vinegar chips?””
Geeze, mate. Keep up with the times. It’s kale salads and kale chips these days. Actually, gross. Let’s not get started on looking back on our childhood and missing out on the good stuff- FIG PRESERVES? Dude, we could be selling that at WF for $100 a jar lol. My grandpa used to make pomegranate molasses (which I thought was poison at that age) and suddenly, it’s trending. These look amazing- We didn’t have apple or fig ones but one that had raisins!
Bah! Does any Mom actually pack kale and kale chips in her kid’s lunch? If so, that kid probably gets beat up in the lunchroom all the time. I feel bad for him.
I like where you are going with this $100 a jar thing! You could be onto something here, mate! Pomegranate molasses? Never heard of it…but I’m intrigued now.
These look fabulous! Definitely my kind of cookie, or pie, or Newton….
Haha…yeah, I have no idea what to call them, Kathy…but bars sounds close enough! Maybe I should have called them Apple Pie Bar Newtons? 🙂
I didn’t even know Apple Newtons existed! And I was never a fan of Fig Newtons (or figs), so that’s a shame. Luckily, I LOVE this recipe and am saving it pronto! Thanks, David!
Yes! The Apple Newtons are still my favorite, too. I’m pretty sure I saw them in the store the other day…but it was more fun just to make my own version at home. Thanks, Ala! 🙂
these look delicious David, baking with apples is awesome!
Thank you so much, Manali…I couldn’t agree more! 🙂
Hi David! Fig newtons taste like preservatives, not figs! And I know these will taste like the apples they are made with! Delicious! 🙂
Hahah…I agree, Dorothy! I just never could understand the obsession with Fig Newtons in lunchboxes when I was a kid. But I’ll gladly share these Apple Pie Bars…I just might make you trade me a cookie or something else delicious in return. 🙂
Love the story of trading lunches – totally did that as a kid! These apple pie bars are so perfect for fall!
Thanks, Ashley! What say we trade some Apple Pie Bars for some of that delicious Mozz salad that you just posted? I think it could be a win-win deal! 🙂
Ugh, fig newtons were the WORST! They were (and still are) cookie imposters. My mom knew better than to try and pack that garbage in my lunchbox. She would have a mutiny on her hands. And yea, I was the king of lunchroom trades. I once traded a half eaten banana for a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos. Just kidding… but that would have been awesome.
Yes! Cookie impostors for sure! Oh man, you totally had me there with the banana for Cool Ranch Doritos. I was all like, “woah…Chris is the MAN at lunchroom trades. I need to learn his skillz!” Since you are a teacher, that means you are in school at lunch. Do you still do lunchroom trades? Because that would be epic.
I’ve never tried them, but apple newtons actually sound awesome. This homemade variation looks perfect too, love that thick layer of fresh apple filling 🙂
Apple newtons are wayyy better than the fig version. I do enjoy figs occasionally now, but when it comes to hand-held pies…give me apple! 🙂 Thanks, June!
I would totally trade half of my sandwich for some salt and vinegar chips. LOL! Okay, back to this recipe. I used to love fig newtons when I was a kid so I guess you would trade those with me if we were schoolmates. 🙂 I can’t recall ever eating apple newtons, but I’m sure I would like them the same. These apple bars scream Fall!! Yum!
Haha…well that depends on what kind of sandwich you have over there, Tamara. If it’s yummy, you can have the whole bag of salt and vinegar chips! 🙂