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These Dutch Apple Pie Bars are absolute perfection! A buttery shortbread crust supports a thick layer of juicy, tender apples and an irresistible Dutch crumble topping! Perfect for using up those farmers market apples!
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5 from 1 vote

Dutch Apple Pie Bars

These Dutch Apple Pie Bars have a shortbread-like crust, are filled to the brim with juicy, tender apples, and are topped with a heavenly mountain of Dutch crumble. Do not miss drizzling these with lots of salted caramel!
Prep Time2 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time3 hours 5 minutes
Course: Bars
Servings: 9 -12
Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel

Ingredients

  • FOR THE CRUST:
  • 1/2 cup butter melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • FOR THE FILLING:
  • 2 large apples I used Honeycrisp, but Granny Smith or a tart red, like Pink Lady, would work too!, peeled, cored, and cut into thin slices
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch nutmeg
  • FOR THE CRUMBLE:
  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats not quick cooking or oatmeal
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cold butter cubed
  • Salted caramel sauce for serving optional but highly recommended

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line an 8x8" square pan with foil, extending the sides of the foil over the edges of the pan. Spray the foil liberally with cooking spray; set aside.
  • First, make your shortbread crust. Combine the melted butter, sugar, vanilla, salt, and flour in a medium bowl until a soft dough comes together. Press the shortbread crust into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, but keep the oven on and increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
  • While the crust pre-bakes, combine your apple filling ingredients into a medium bowl and toss to coat. When crust finishes pre-baking, top the crust with the apple mixture. It may seem like a lot of apples, but they will cook down some. Try to move the apple slices around to fill in any gaps and make an even layer of apples.
  • Next, make the crumble. Combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour together in a medium bowl. Cut in the cold, cubed butter with two forks or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse, pea-size crumbs. Crumble the mixture evenly over the top of the apple layer.
  • Bake the pie bars for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender and set. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to overnight, to set completely before cutting into squares to serve. Drizzle with salted caramel before serving.