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    Home » Recipes » Uncategorized » Apple Pie Bars recipe

    PUBLISHED: October 14, 2021 • By Toni Dash 9 Comments

    Apple Pie Bars recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    apple pie bars on a plate with title

    If you are a lover of fall desserts and classic apple pie, this easy Apple Pie Bars recipe will be a favorite. Apple pie filling mixed with a creamy cheesecake mixture baked between two layers of sugar cookie crust. Easy enough for a weekday, tasty enough for the holiday season.

    apple pie bars on a plate with title

    This is a favorite of apple desserts with all ingredients easily found at the grocery store. Delicious apple pie bars are not a fussy dessert to make. They deliver the flavors of the best apple pie with a touch of cheesecake flavor and sugar cookie crust.

    Because the recipe uses some prepared ingredients the preparation time is shorter. It’s a delicious fall dessert that will remind you of warm apple pie.

    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love the recipe
    • Key Ingredients Notes
    • How to Make Apple Pie Bars – Step-by-Step
    • How to Store
    • Variations
    • More recipes you’ll love!
    • Recipe
    apple pie bar with ice cream

    Why You’ll Love the recipe

    • All the flavors of regular apple pie but this bar version is much easier to make
    • No need to make the sugar cookie dough or apple pie filling from scratch
    • The ingredients are available all year so it can be made any time
    • Can be made regular or gluten-free based on the sugar cookie mix used
    • No need to make a pie crust!
    • Tt’s an easy dessert recipe

    Key Ingredients Notes

    apple pie bars ingredients labelled

    Sugar Cookie mix. This is used both for the crust and topping. Use a 17.5 ounce package. A regular or gluten-free mix may be used.

    Unsalted Butter. Start with the butter cold.

    Apple pie filling. You can use a 21-ounce can or homemade filling (our recipe in the recipe card below).

    Cream Cheese. Start with softened cream cheese. We recommend full fat cream cheese too.

    Sweetened Condensed Milk. This is used for sweetening the filling instead of granulated sugar or brown sugar.

    How to Make Apple Pie Bars – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1. Preparation

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

    Spray an 8-inch by 8-inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper, allowing some to overhand the sides (photo 1).

    Spray the top of the parchment with non-stick spray.

    apple pie bars recipe steps 1-4

    STEP 2. Make the crust

    In a medium bowl, using a pastry blender (also called a pastry cutter) or fork, cut the butter into the sugar cookie mix until coarse crumbs form (photo 2).

    Remove 1 ½ cups of the mixture and set aside.

    Pour the remaining mixture into the bottom of the pan and firmly press it to the edges for the bottom crust (photos 3-4). Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

    STEP 3. Make the filling

    While the crust is baking, mix the cinnamon into the apple pie filling (photo 5). (If using the homemade apple pie filling recipe this isn’t needed). Set aside.

    In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese, condensed milk, egg, and vanilla extract until most of the lumps are gone and the mixture is smooth (photo 6).

    apple pie bars recipe steps 5-8

    STEP 4. Assemble and Bake

    Once the crust is done baking, spread the apple filling along the top and to the edges (photo 8).

    Pour the cream cheese mixture on top of the apple layer and spread to the edges (photos 9-10). Sprinkle the reserved cookie mixture all over to make a top crust (photo 11).

    Bake in the center of the oven for 30-40 minutes cooking time, until the top starts to turn golden brown.

    apple pie bars recipe steps 9-12

    STEP 5. Cool

    Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack at room temperature for an hour (photo 12).

    Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours, overnight if possible. Serve as is or with a drizzle of Salted Caramel Sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

    apple pie bars overhead

    How to Store

    Store in an airtight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

    Variations

    Use this recipe with a different pie filling. The apple pie filling can easily be swapped out with another pie filling such as cherry or peach.

    Add a drizzle. If a drizzle of glaze is desired try powdered sugar glaze. Using ½ cup powdered sugar and 2-4 tablespoons of milk, slowly add the milk starting with 2 tablespoons and mix into the sugar. Continue adding milk until the desired consistency has been reached.

    Chocolate chip sugar cookie cheesecake bars. Simply remove the fruit filling all together, mix mini chocolate chips into the cheesecake batter and/or in the crumble topping.

    Drizzle some melted chocolate chips over the top after baking. Bake time will be closer to 30-35 minutes for this.

    apple pie bars with caramel

    More recipes you’ll love!

    • Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cookies recipe
    • Apple Crisp with Cranberries and Walnuts
    • Baked Apples recipe with Brown Sugar Pecan topping
    • Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars recipe

    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Recipe

    apple pie bars on plate

    Apple Pie Bars

    Sugar cookie crust, apple pie filling, cheesecake layer and a sugar cookie top make these Apple Pie Bars a favorite! All the favorite flavors of apple pie in an easy dessert bar.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 43 minutes
    Cooling + Chilling Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 5 hours 3 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 94kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    pastry blender
    Pastry Blender

    Ingredients

    • 1 17.5-ounce package Sugar Cookie Mix any sugar cookie mix will work
    • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter cold
    • 1 21-ounce can apple pie filling Homemade filling will work as well (see notes)
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 8 ounces block cream cheese softened
    • 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
      Prepare an 8-inch by 8-inch square baking pan with non-stick spray. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang, and spray the pan with the parchment paper for easier removal.
    • In a medium bowl, using a pastry cutter, or fork cut the butter into the sugar cookie mix until well combined and crumbly.
      Remove 1 ½ cups of the mixture and set aside.
    • Pour the remaining mixture into the pan and firmly press it to the edges.
      Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
    • While the crust is baking, mix the cinnamon into the apple pie filling. (If using the homemade apple pie filling recipe this isn’t needed). Set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, mix the cream cheese, condensed milk, egg, and vanilla extract until most of the lumps are gone and the mixture is smooth.
    • Once the crust is done baking, spread the apple pie filling along the top and to the edges.
    • Pour the cheesecake mixture on top of the apples and spread to the edges.
      Sprinkle the reserved cookie mixture all over the top.
    • Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top starts to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature for an hour. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours, overnight if possible. Serve with or without a drizzle of caramel sauce. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
    • Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature for an hour. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours, overnight if possible.
      Serve with or without a drizzle of caramel sauce.

    Notes

    How to Store
    Store in an airtight container or tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
    Homemade Apple Pie Filling Option
    Makes the equivalent amount to 1 21-ounce can pie filling.
    Ingredients
    • 2 cups peeled, diced or thinly sliced apple
    • ½ tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 6 teaspoons cornstarch
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • Pinch of nutmeg
    • Pinch of salt
    • 1 cup water
    Instructions
    1. In a small bowl, coat the apples with lemon juice. Set aside.
    2. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and water; stir well. While continuously mixing, bring mixture to a boil and continue boiling for 2 minutes.
    3. Add the apples and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 5-8 minutes; until apples are tender.
    4. Remove from the stove and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Scoop into a container, seal, and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours before using in this recipe.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 113mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 226IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Greg says

      October 19, 2021 at 1:26 pm

      We all loved these, delicious!

      Reply
    2. Allyson Zea says

      October 14, 2021 at 12:33 pm

      5 stars
      These were so delicious and perfect for fall! Loved every bite!

      Reply
    3. Matt Taylor says

      October 14, 2021 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      These apple pie bars are absolutely delicious and really do taste like apple pie. Such a great recipe and easy to make!

      Reply
    4. Trang says

      October 14, 2021 at 9:25 am

      5 stars
      Real fact. I have never had an apple pie bar until now! I actually prefer this over the traditional apple pie now. Love this recipe. So easy to make and who doesn’t love cheesecake with cookie crusts?!?

      Reply
    5. Gina says

      October 14, 2021 at 9:24 am

      5 stars
      These are such a delicious treat! Love the layer of chunky apples in the middle!

      Reply
    6. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

      October 14, 2021 at 8:45 am

      5 stars
      Such a freat combination of flavours and textures and everyone will love these! Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    7. Kait says

      October 14, 2021 at 8:23 am

      5 stars
      Apples and cheesecake together is such a perfect combination! I really love the sugar cookie surrounding these bars as well, which makes them both delicious and easy to eat.

      Reply
    8. Linda F says

      October 14, 2021 at 7:58 am

      5 stars
      These were totally delicious! Very easy to make which I loved too. Can’t wait to include them for our Thanksgiving dessert buffet. Thanks!

      Reply
    9. Dannii says

      October 14, 2021 at 7:45 am

      5 stars
      I am all about the apple desserts at the moment and these apple pie bars are incredible.

      Reply

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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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