Dorothy Kern
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.
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
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.
All text and images © DOROTHY KERN for Crazy for Crust. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be accurate.
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Published on: September 24, 2017
I’m so excited to try this recipe! In the fall, my boyfriend made a ton of pear butter, which at the time was very cute and exciting, but it’s been sitting there for months because we don’t actually know what to do with it. This recipe sounds perfect.
I made the Apple Butter Pie Bars last night – let me say – they are amazing! I was looking for something exactly like this when I found your recipe. Thanks so much for another GREAT recipe!
Yay!! I’m so glad you liked them Connie!
Yummm those look amazing! They almost look like (but definitely don’t taste like haha) Carmelita bars – have you ever had those before?
No! What do those use? Is it dulce de leche or something? I’m intrigued….
Here is a great recipe – http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2012/01/06/oatmeal-carmelita-bars-recipe/
I make them without the pecans. If you go to Sams or BJs Wholesale, they usually sell mixes which are just as good as homemade. And like I said – same sort of bars (I love making bars) but totally different taste.
Thank you for sharing your recipe at Cast Party Wednesday! Have a GREAT week! ~Sheryl @ Lady Behind The Curtain~
I love November just because I really do think of it as “pie month”.
I think you should make coconut cream. I’ve made 3 kinds in the last year or two and can’t find “the one” for the life of me.
Your bars look yummy!
I totally need to try coconut cream. It’s on my list!
YUM!! I’m totally giggling. My hubs says those same things to me. Thanks for the recipe- this is a must make!
I have an idea for you … same recipe using pumpkin butter in place of apple butter. I have an unopened jar of pumpkin butter … it’s getting opened right now!
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of apple butter before! These bars sound amazing! You must have so much control to not eat them straight away!
Oh, it was hard. Very hard! Thanks Nicky!
I love the way you think…pies all month long:-) There is something about November that just makes you think pie! I adore apple butter on everything too. So good on hot biscuits! I’m loving the idea of it in this crazy good looking slab pie! I even have a jar sitting here waiting to be finished off;-)
I never thought to call it slab pie. Totally true!!! I really do need to try apple butter on biscuits, yum!
Yum, I love apple butter. I just pinned and printed it. I can’t wait to make these.