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Apple Butter Pie Bars – an easy way to make an apple pie! Slab pie or pie bars are so much easier to serve and these are full of rich apple butter with a crumble topping.
I have decided I want to crown fall the “pie season”, or, more accurately, “crust season.” It’s the season of all things pie, for me. Pie is not just for Thanksgiving…it’s also for Halloween and birthdays.
In an effort to brainstorm pies for the coming season, I asked my husband what kind of pie I should make. To which he promptly answered, “Apple Crumb Pie.”
Um, sweetie? I’ve already done that. Twice.
“Well, that’s my favorite,” he said.
Okay, again, thanks hun, but I need something I can actually post.
You know, something crazy with seven types of candy and that’s dipped in chocolate and covered with whipped cream.
I was shopping at Target, trying to come up with ideas when I saw apple butter. Instantly I realized I had an answer for my husband: I could make him some crumb apple butter bars.
{Now, I know it’s not November yet…consider this a teaser…maybe?}
Have you ever had apple butter? It’s so delicious. The smell, oh my goodness. It makes you conjure apple orchards and family all in one sniff. Apple butter is like a really thick and flavorful apple sauce. Jordan loves it straight from the jar.
I pre-baked the shortbread crust, then spread the apple butter on it’s already warm goodness. The smell almost made me drool all over the pan, it was so good. I wanted to eat them right. that. second. Then I topped them with a buttery, sugary crumble. Does it get any better?
And get this: the crust and crumble are the same recipe. That makes these super easy to put together!
I shared these at a teacher luncheon…but they almost didn’t make it there. I wanted to keep them for myself.
And now, I have a problem…I want to make these again. And again.
But these bars, man. They take the cake pie.
Apple Butter Pie Bars are pure fall in a bite. Making pie bars is so much easier especially when the filling is just apple butter and nuts!
Now I just need to go figure out what other pies and crusts I want to make this season. Thoughts?
And….I think I need more apple butter.
Tips for the perfect pie bars:
- Pie bars are a fun and easy way to make a pie without the hassle of needing to cut it into slices. Bars are so much easier!
- Pre-baking the crust will help the bars be crunchy.
- Use a good quality apple butter; the better it tastes from the jar the better it will taste in the bars!
Apple Butter Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust & Crumble:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
For the Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups Apple Butter about 12 ounces
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9x13” pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Make the crust & crumble: add butter, flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon to a large bowl. Mix with a hand mixer until it becomes crumbly. (You may need to use your fingers to break up any larger chunks of butter.) Press into half into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove crust from the oven. Spread the apple butter over the crust in an even layer. Sprinkle with walnuts. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the filling and press gently to compact. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, until topping starts to turn golden.
- Cool completely before removing from pan. Cut into squares.
If you love apple butter try these recipes too: Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie by TidyMom, Apple Butter Waffle Donuts by Nutmeg Nanny, or Apple Butter Shortbread Bars by BruCrew Life.
Last Updated on May 12, 2020
Thank you Dorothy! These apple butter bars were a great way to use some of the extra jars I made but didn’t can. This one stood out from the rest because of that fantastic crust layer and I am so glad I found your recipe. I did add a little brown sugar to the topping just because I like the flavor but I had no problems with the crumble.I do think it was important you mentioned “mix by hand” because it definitely gives you control over the topping , squeezing different sized crumble for texture where a mixer would likely grind it to dust. Completely cool they had a great snap. Definitely will be making them again
It seems to have way to much flour, it’s still dusty. I just want to verify it is 3 cups of flour and 1 cup of butter?
If you think apple butter is good, you should try pear butter. Oh my my my. It is outstanding. Far surpasses apple butter. Try pear butter instead of apple butter with your bars and see what you think.
hey girl- these bars look so yummy! ya’ll have a great week!
So I made this yesterday. Very good as not too sweet. I thought it could use just a little salt in both the crust and maybe half of the topping sugar as brown sugar. I will definitely make again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Boy these sound and look great …can’t wait to make them. I’m thinking these would be great with my moms Fig butter… need to put that on my to do list for sure.
Oh yes, I bet that would be amazing!!
I followed your recipe exactly and it turned out horribly! I could not serve them as dessert that evening! I believe you need much more butter in both the crust and the filling. And maybe some type of cinnamon/brown sugar mix on top. It was a disappointment all around.
I’m so sorry Amber. I’m not sure what happened. I’ve used that same crust and topping recipe for several bars, and it always works out great. Can you elaborate a little bit? I’d love to try and troubleshoot with you.
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