Flaky Apple Pie Bars
Discover the delightful blend of flaky shortbread crust, tart Granny Smith apples, and a crunchy pecan topping in these Flaky Apple Pie Bars. Perfect for gatherings, these bars offer the classic taste of apple pie without the fuss of rolling dough.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
▢2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
▢2 egg yolks
▢1 cup of butter or vegetable shortening
▢2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
▢½ cup of milk
For the Filling:
▢8 small Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
▢¼ cup of brown sugar
▢½ cup of granulated sugar
▢1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
For the Crumb Topping:
▢Reserved dough from crust preparation
▢1 tablespoon of brown sugar
▢A handful of crushed pecans
▢1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
▢2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare: Begin by setting your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 ½ cups of flour with 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Stir these dry ingredients together until they are well mixed.
Form the Dough: Utilize a pastry cutter to incorporate the cup of butter or shortening into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and milk. Gradually add this liquid mixture to the flour mixture, stirring continuously until a dough forms.
Reserve Topping Dough: Set aside one-fourth of the dough to be used later for the crumb topping.
Assemble the Crust: Take the remaining dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating a firm base for the filling.
Prepare the Filling: Arrange the sliced apples over the crust. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon, then sprinkle this sugar mixture evenly over the apples.
Create the Crumb Topping: Combine the reserved dough with an additional tablespoon of brown sugar, crushed pecans, a tablespoon of granulated sugar, and two tablespoons of flour. Mix until crumbly and then sprinkle this mixture over the sugared apples.
Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool in the pan before cutting into squares. This rest period helps the bars to set, making them easier to serve.
