Apple Pie Crumb Bars
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Crumbly pie crust layered with a sweet sour cream apple pie filling and topped with crumb topping makes for the most decadent Apple Pie Crumb Bar you’ll sink your teeth into.
This Apple Pie Crumb Bar recipe kind of happened by accident. I fully intended to make my Strawberry Sour Cream Crumb Bars and was unable to find any strawberry pie filling. So, with it being late in the summer and approaching apple season, I decided to roll with apple pie filling. What a happy accident indeed!
Apple Pie Crumb Bars
Apple season is here and I couldn’t be more excited. The aroma of apples and cinnamon baking in the oven is a sure sign of fall and I welcome it with open arms. Don’t get me wrong, I love my summers too but that crisp fall air that comes with this change of seasons is always something I look forward to.
You can tell that I’ve embraced this transitional fall season as I’ve got loads of simple apple recipes to share so you too can enjoy the season as much as I do. This Apple Kuchen is an old family favorite; apple crisps are always easy to make so try this recipe for The Very Best Apple Crisp or for an individual serving this Apple Crisp In A Mug is perfect and my Fresh Apple Cake and Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies are not to be overlooked either. There you go! So many ways to enjoy apples and make the perfect fall dessert.
Apple Pie Crumb Bar Recipe
These apple pie crumb bars are more decadent than traditional apple pie bars as I’ve added a layer of custard that’s swirled with the apple pie filling. Sour cream, eggs, and sugar come together for a silky smooth custard that’s mixed with the apple pie filling for a rich dense apple pie layer.
If you love these apple pie crumble bars you are sure to love these too: Air Fryer Apple Pie Egg Rolls, Apple Crostata, or this Apple Pumpkin Strudel.
Apple Pie Bars
I tend to refrigerate my apple bars so they stay nice and crisp. If your kitchen is humid you should store yours in the fridge as well. In an airtight container in the fridge, these homemade apple crumble bars will keep for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the apple pie bars for up to 3 months. Cut into individual servings so you can easily grab them one at a time.
Ingredients for apple pie crumb bars
For complete ingredients and instructions scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card.
For the Crust:
Butter – Melted, and cooled to room temperature. Salted or unsalted butter both work.
Flour – All-purpose flour works well in these apple pie crumb bars.
Brown sugar – Brown sugar adds some sweetness to these flaky apple pie bars.
Baking soda and powder – These help the crust rise.
Salt – A touch of salt to enhance the flavor.
For the Filling:
Apple pie filling – Canned apple pie filling works well or you can make your own pie filling.
Sour cream – I prefer full fat but low fat also works.
Sugar – White granulated sugar sweetens up the pie filling a touch. You can also substitute with coconut sugar on a 1-1 basis.
Flour – All-purpose flour thickens the filling.
Egg – Any kind of egg will work in this pie filling.
Vanilla – Use real vanilla extract for the best flavor.
How to make this apple pie bars recipe
These apple pie crumble bars come together easily so don’t be put off by the number of steps.
Begin by melting the butter in the microwave and set it aside to cool to room temperature. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line an 8×8 square pan with either non-stick foil or parchment paper sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
Make the crust, in a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients; the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the melted butter, and mix making sure to completely incorporate the butter. The dough will be crumbly. You can also use a food processor for this step.
Reserve 1/4 of your crust mixture for the topping, and press the other 3/4 firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Set aside.
To make the filling, mix together the sour cream, sugar, flour, egg, and vanilla in a medium bowl.
Pour the filling over the crust and smooth out. Then spoon apple pie filling over the top, and gently swirl with the sour cream mixture. Finally, sprinkle with the remaining dough and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool in the refrigerator, cut, and serve. These bars can be served at room temperature or warm. The choice is yours. I like to serve warm and then I top the bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
Love it? Pin it!
If you love this recipe for apple pie crumb bars make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!
FAQs
What is the difference between apple pie and apple crumb pie? The main difference between an apple pie and an apple crumb pie is the crust and topping. A crumb pie has a crumbly pie base that is usually sprinkled on top of the pie as well. A basic apple pie uses a traditional pie crust and doesn’t usually have a crumble topping.
What is the crumble on apple pie made of? Typically crumble is made with butter, flour, and brown sugar. Sometimes a touch of cinnamon is added.
What’s the difference between apple crumble and apple crisp? Apple crumble and apple crisp are very similar in nature. Apple crumble is usually made with a crumble that consists of butter, flour, and sugar while an apple crisp contains oats. Both are usually made with fresh apples.
How do you keep apple crumble crispy? The best way to keep an apple crumble crispy is to store it in the refrigerator. If you really want to crisp it up before serving, put it in the oven for a few minutes.
Which apples are best for pies? I’d say the best apples, the top 3 in my book, are Granny Smith Apples, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious. However, you can also use Jonagold, Braeburn, or Northern Spy. However, at the end of the day, you can just use what you’ve got in the fridge or one of your favorite apples. If your apples are on the tart side, add a touch more sugar.
Why does apple pie call for lemon juice? Lemon juice is added to apple pie so the apples don’t turn brown. Apples turn brown when you cut them as they are exposed to the air.
Substitutions
Remember that when it comes to making substitutions in recipes, you don’t need to be afraid to get creative and use ingredients that suit your personal taste and dietary preferences. Make it your own!
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Change up the pie filling flavor and use blueberry, peach, or your favorite fruit. A combination of fruit will also work.
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Stir in some raisins for texture and more sweetness.
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Mix in some freshly chopped, peeled apples for more crunch and apple flavor.
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Add other warming spices like ginger, nutmeg, or allspice.
Tips & Tricks
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For a more intense apple pie flavor mix in some apple pie spice.
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For some crunch, sprinkle the top of the bars with finely chopped walnuts.
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Bring the refrigerated items to room temperature before you begin to prepare the bars.
More Dessert Bar Recipes to Love
Making dessert bars is a deliciously less complicated way to get to eating sweets faster! Here are some more to love:
- Apple Bars (pictured above)
- Pumpkin Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust
See ALL of My Dessert Bar Recipes
Enjoy apple season and make this delicious dessert for easy apple pie bars. Once you taste these homemade apple crumble bars you may start to embrace the season as much as I do.
Apple Pie Crumb Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- For the Crust and Topping:
- 1 stick butter melted, and cooled to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- For the Filling:
- About 3/4 of a 20-ounce can of apple pie filling
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Melt butter in the microwave and set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Line an 8×8 square pan with either non-stick foil or parchment paper sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- To make the crust, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the melted butter, and mix making sure to completely incorporate the butter, the dough will be crumbly.
- Reserve 1/4 of your crust mixture, and press the other 3/4 firmly into the bottom of your pan. Set aside.
- For the filling, mix together the sour cream, sugar, 1 Tablespoon flour, egg, and vanilla.
- Pour over the crust and smooth out.
- Spoon apple pie filling over the top, and gently swirl with the sour cream mixture.
- Sprinkle with the remaining crust and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown
Nutrition
What a fun and delicious treat for fall! Excited to give these a try; looks too good to pass up indeed!
This is the perfect treat to satisfy my sweet tooth! Loved the buttery crust along with the apple filling. Sooo delicious!
These were the perfect dessert to make with my kids after school yesterday! They were sweet, delicious, and made my whole house smell like fall!
Perfect dessert for Fall! I decided to give it a test run this weekend and the whole family was impressed. Thanks for the great recipe. We will definitely be baking these again soon.
What a great looking fall dessert! Will be perfect for a nice cup of tea.