Apple Pie Bars

Recipe number 2 for my holiday treats!  Let me preface this by saying that I like pie, but baking pie can be a little overwhelming sometimes.  Especially when you have a full time (or full time and a half) job, yet need to whip something up for a party the next day.  This tastes very similar to apple pie without too much effort and time.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.  Line a 15x17 inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  Begin by making the crust, beat the butter and the sugar in a medium bowl until light and fluffy.  

At a low speed beat in flour and salt until the dough is soft.

Press the dough over the bottom of the prepared pan, in an even layer.  Bake in the center of the oven for about 20 minutes, until crust is golden and set.  Let cool.

In a large skillet, melt 6 tablespoons of butter with 1/2 cup of brown sugar.

Add in the apples and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, for around 10 minutes until apples are soft.

Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg.  Cook until the apples are soft and tender and liquid is evaporated, about 10 minutes longer.  Let cool.

In a large bowl, mix the oats with flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.  

Using a pastry blender (or kick it old school and use your hands like me) cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal.  Optional to stir in pecans if you choose.

Spread the apple filling over the crust.

Scatter the crumbs on top of the apples, pressing them lightly into an even layer.  Bake in the center of the oven for one hour until the top is golden.  Let cool completely on a rack before cutting into bars.

I served with a little dollop of whipped cream on top, and it tasted exactly like apple pie!  I really enjoyed the oat topping, gave the bars extra flavor.  Enjoy everyone.

Apple Pie Bars

Adapted from: My Baking Addiction

Serving size 4 dozen **I cut in half

Crust:

3 sticks unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

3 cups flour

1/2 teaspoons salt

Filling:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup light brown sugar

12 granny smith apples (peeled, cored and thinly sliced)

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Topping:

3 cups quick-cooking oats

2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups light brown sugar

1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 sticks unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes, chilled

3/4 cups chopped pecans *optional

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 

Line a 15x17 inch baking sheet with parchment paper.

For the crust: beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  

Beat in the flour and salt until dough forms.

Press the dough over the bottom of the prepared pan in an even layer.

Bake for around 20 minutes, and let cool.

For the filling: melt six tablespoons of butter and brown sugar in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the apples to the skillet and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg, and cook until apples are tender, then let cool.

For the topping: mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.

Cut in the butter until well combined.  

Stir in the pecans if you're using.

Spread the apple filling over the crust.

Scatter the crumbs on top, pressing them lightly into the apples layer.

Baking for one your, until the top is golden brown.  

Let cool completely, then cut into bars.

Apple Pizza Pie

 

Who doesn't like apples?  Who doesn't like pie?  Mix the two together, you can't go wrong!  This is a creative idea because it's not exactly a pie, just uses pie crust like a pizza crust.  It tastes amazing, like a little slice of apple pie with a sugary glaze on top.  I think this dessert is great to bring to spring/summer BBQ!

I used store bought pie crust, and used both of them.  If you have a great recipe of your own I'm sure that will work great too!  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

Roll pie crust out into a rectangle and line the cookie sheet with the dough.  I had to cut and paste some of the edges.  It doesn't have to look perfect because you won't see it!  Set aside.

The first part of this recipe is a little tedious, but stick with it, it'll get easier.  Peel, core, and slice six apples into bite size pieces.

Put the bite sized pieces of apple in a large mixing bowl.

Add sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and flour.  Stir until the apples are all evenly coated.

Pour apples onto the dough.  Spread into an even layer.  Set aside.

In a medium sized bowl mix together the flour, brown sugar and oats.  Cut in the butter.  I mixed this in with my hands, but you can use a fork too.

Mixture should be crumbly, like above.

Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the apples.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.  My piece of advice here is don't under-cook.  I usually like my baked goods gooey, so I cook them a few minuets less than the suggested time, don't do that here.  The crust in the middle takes a little longer to cook, if you think they look like they're done, I would cook them an extra two minutes just to make sure!

While the pizza is baking mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk.  Make sure your cream cheese is room temperature so you can combine easier.  I mixed it all together and then used a whisk to get all the clumps out.

Once the pizza is finished cooking, remove from the oven and drizzle the cream cheese icing over the top.

Slice and serve.  It tastes great served warm and cold.  I kept the leftovers in the fridge, and they taste just as great then too!  The butter and oats crumbles and the icing really make this a tasty dessert. 

Apple Pizza Pie

Adapted from: Flour Me With Love

1 double crust pie dough recipe (or 2 refrigerated crusts)

6 medium sized apples

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoons vanilla

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup oats

1/4 cup butter

Icing:

2oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a cooking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

Roll pie crust out onto cookie sheet, and set aside.

Peel, core and slice apples into bite size pieces.

Add the sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and flour to the apples until evenly coated.

In a separate medium bowl mix together flour, brown sugar and oats.

Cut in butter until the mixture is crumbly.

Sprinkle mixture evenly over apples.

Bake 20-25 minutes, until crust looks golden brown.

While pizza is cooking make the icing.

Mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk. 

Whisk until all clumps are out.

Once the pizza has finished baking, remove from oven and drizzle with the icing.

Slice and serve!