The Barefoot Contessa Apple Pie Bars Recipe: Quick & Scrumptious

Barefoot contessa apple pie bars transform the beloved dessert into a delightful, handheld treat that captures the essence of comfort baking.

These irresistible squares blend the warm, nostalgic flavors of traditional pie with a more accessible and shareable format.

Packed with rich, spiced apple goodness, the bars offer a rustic charm that appeals to home bakers and dessert lovers alike.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender fruit, crumbly crust, and sweet cinnamon notes.

The recipe simplifies the pie-making process without sacrificing an ounce of deliciousness.

Homemade desserts don’t get much more inviting or crowd-pleasing than these delectable bars: grab your apron and get ready to bake!

Fall for the Sweet Charm of Apple Pie Bars

• Craft a Delectable Dessert Masterpiece: These apple pie bars elevate classic apple pie into an easy-to-serve, crowd-pleasing treat that transforms traditional pie into convenient, shareable squares.
• Enjoy Luxurious Layered Textures: Experience a perfect harmony of buttery, crisp crust, tender spiced apples, and crunchy walnut crumble that delivers an incredible sensory journey in every single bite.
• Master Foolproof Baking Technique: This recipe offers a beginner-friendly method with simple steps, allowing home bakers to create a professional-looking dessert without complex pastry skills or specialized equipment.

Essential Picks for Apple Pie Bars

• Butter: Rich and creamy base for a flaky, tender crust.
• Caster Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet components that provide depth and caramel notes.
• Vanilla: Adds warm, aromatic flavor to the crust.
• Flour: Structural element that binds the crust together.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Apples: Firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith work best for holding shape during cooking.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds bright, fresh acidity.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a syrupy consistency.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that complement apple's natural flavor.
• Butter: Creates rich, glossy coating for the apples.

• Walnuts: Adds crunch and nutty depth to the crumble topping.
• Cinnamon: Provides warm, spicy accent to the crumble.

Easy Steps for Apple Pie Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Set your oven to heat up to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Create the Magical Crust

• Softened butter
• Caster sugar
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract

• All-purpose flour
• Salt

Mix until just combined.

Step 3: Shape and Chill the Crust

Press about two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan, creating a slight edge along the sides. Pop the pan in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to firm up.

Step 4: First Bake of the Crust

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown. Let it cool completely.

Step 5: Craft the Crumbly Topping

• Chopped walnuts
• Ground cinnamon

Set aside for later.

Step 6: Transform the Apples

• Sliced apples
• Lemon juice
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until apples soften and liquid reduces (about 12-15 minutes).

Step 7: Assemble the Delightful Bars

Lower oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Spread the cooked apples over the cooled crust, leaving a small border. Crumble the walnut-cinnamon dough over the top.

Step 8: Final Baking

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 9: Cool and Slice

Allow the bars to cool completely. Cut into square pieces of pure deliciousness.

Expert Hints for Apple Pie Bars

• Prevent Crust Shrinkage: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and baking to maintain its shape and create a flaky texture.
• Maximize Apple Flavor: Blend Granny Smith's tartness with Honeycrisp's sweetness for a complex, well-rounded taste profile in your bars.
• Avoid Soggy Bottom Syndrome: Cook apple filling until most liquid reduces, concentrating flavors and preventing a wet, mushy crust.
• Create Clean Cut Edges: Leave a small border around the pan's edges when spreading filling, allowing for easy removal and precise slicing.
• Achieve Perfect Texture: Let bars cool completely at room temperature for at least two hours, helping the filling set and enhancing overall structural integrity.

Keep Apple Pie Bars Fresh

• Layered Freezing: Wrap individual apple pie bars tightly in plastic wrap, then stack them carefully between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Seal completely to prevent freezer burn and maintain maximum flavor intensity for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture restoration.
• Cooling Technique: Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature before storing to prevent condensation and soggy edges. Place in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture, which helps preserve the crisp bottom crust and prevent sogginess.
• Freshness Preservation: Store in the refrigerator for maximum shelf life, keeping bars in a sealed container for up to 5 days. Separate layers with wax paper to prevent sticking and maintain the delicate crumb structure.

Creative Spins on Apple Pie Bars

• Nutty Caramel Apple Bars: Add a layer of salted caramel sauce between the crust and apple filling, sprinkle chopped pecans on top for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
• Rustic Berry Apple Fusion: Mix fresh raspberries or blueberries with the apple filling to create a vibrant, tangy counterpoint to the sweet crust and warm spices.
• Maple Bourbon Apple Squares: Swap regular sugar with maple syrup and add a splash of bourbon to the apple mixture for a rich, sophisticated grown-up version of the classic bars.
• Gluten-Free Almond Apple Treat: Replace wheat flour with almond flour and add ground almonds to the crumble topping for a nutty, gluten-free alternative that's equally delicious.

Closing Reflections on Apple Pie Bars

Barefoot Contessa’s Apple Pie Bars embody classic American dessert craftsmanship with a delightful twist.

Rich buttery crust meets caramelized apple filling, creating pure comfort on each plate.

Walnuts add unexpected crunch while warm spices whisper nostalgic memories of autumn kitchens.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike will adore this sophisticated take on traditional pie.

Complex layers of flavor mingle seamlessly through each carefully constructed bite.

Readers who crave an irresistible dessert experience should absolutely bookmark this recipe, share with passionate baking friends, and comment below with their delicious results!

Barefoot Contessa Apple Pie Bars Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

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

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Description

Barefoot Contessa Apple Pie Bars deliver classic American dessert comfort in convenient handheld squares. Ina Garten’s signature recipe combines buttery pastry, spiced apples, and crumbly streusel topping, offering a delightful twist on traditional pie that promises to charm family and friends at any gathering.

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Ingredients

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Fruits:

• 680g (1½ pounds) Granny Smith apples (about 3 large), peeled, cored, and sliced 3mm (⅛ inch) thick
• 680g (1½ pounds) Golden Delicious apples (about 3 large), peeled, cored, and sliced 3mm (⅛ inch) thick

Spices and Sweeteners:

• 50g (¼ cup) caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Fats:

• 55g (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan)/375°F, ensuring an evenly heated environment for baking.
2. Cream the butter with caster sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixer for 2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
3. Gently sift flour and salt together, then gradually incorporate into the creamed mixture on low speed until a cohesive dough forms.
4. Take approximately ⅔ of the prepared dough and press it firmly into a 9×13-inch (23x33cm) baking tin, carefully creating a ½-inch (1.3cm) raised edge along the sides.
5. Refrigerate the crust for 20 minutes to help it set and maintain its shape during initial baking.
6. Bake the crust for 18-20 minutes until it achieves a golden brown color, then remove and allow to cool completely.
7. For the crumble topping, combine the remaining dough with chopped walnuts and ground cinnamon, mixing on low speed until well integrated.
8. Reduce the oven temperature to 175°C (155°C fan)/350°F in preparation for the final baking stage.
9. In a large mixing bowl, gently toss sliced apples with fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg to ensure even coating.
10. Melt butter in a large 25-centimeter pan over medium heat, then add the seasoned apple slices.
11. Cook the apples for 12-15 minutes, stirring periodically, until they soften and most of the liquid evaporates, creating a rich, caramelized filling.
12. Spread the cooked apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust, maintaining a ½-inch (1.3cm) border around the edges.
13. Pinch the walnut-cinnamon crumble into small, irregular pieces and generously scatter over the apple layer.
14. Return to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the crumble topping turns a beautiful golden brown.
15. Remove from the oven and allow the apple bars to cool completely before cutting into square portions.

Notes

• Avoid wet, mushy apples by cooking them down in a skillet until liquid mostly evaporates, concentrating their natural sweetness.
• Select a mix of apple varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp to create a complex, balanced flavor profile in your bars.
• Refrigerate the prepared crust for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent shrinkage and maintain a crisp, sturdy texture.
• Create space around pie crust edges when adding filling, preventing sticky sides and ensuring clean, professional-looking bar slices.
• Let bars cool completely at room temperature for 2-3 hours, allowing filling to set and develop rich, cohesive flavors before cutting.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 18
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 45mg