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Ina Garten Apple Pie Bars

Ina Garten Apple Pie Bars
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These dessert bars start with a buttery shortbread-style crust, followed by a layer of cinnamon-spiced apples, and topped with a crumbly streusel. Think of them as apple pie meets coffee cake—easy to cut, share, and enjoy without utensils.

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust and topping:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for extra warmth)

For the apple filling:

  • 4 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

  • ¼ cup brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.

Step 2: Make the Crust

In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add cold butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture for the topping.

Press the remaining crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.

Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling

In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well coated.

Step 4: Assemble the Bars

Spread the apple mixture evenly over the cooled crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the top.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the apples are tender. Let cool completely in the pan.

Step 6: Slice and Serve

Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment overhang. Cut into squares and serve as is, or warm slightly and top with vanilla ice cream.

Find it online: https://inagartencooks.com/ina-garten-apple-pie-bars-recipe/