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Cozy Small-Batch Apple Pie Bars: Easy Dessert for Two

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These cozy small-batch apple pie bars for two are made with a press-in crust, spiced apple filling, and a buttery crumble topping. Perfect for a quiet evening or a rainy Sunday afternoon, they deliver all the comfort of apple pie without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons ice water
  • 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your 8×4-inch loaf pan with a strip of parchment paper, leaving some overhang on two sides.
  2. Make the crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the 3 tablespoons of cold butter cubes. Using a pastry cutter or two forks, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse meal with some pea-sized butter pieces. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of ice water and stir with a fork. If the dough feels dry, add the second tablespoon. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 12 minutes, until the …
  3. Prepare the apple filling: In a small bowl, toss the diced apples with the 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  4. Make the crumble topping: In the same bowl used for the crust, combine the 1/4 cup flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Add the 2 tablespoons cold butter cubes. Cut it in until the mixture looks like small, clumpy crumbs.
  5. Assemble the bars: Spoon the apple filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
  6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is bubbly around the edges and the crumble is deep golden brown. If the top is browning too quickly after 25 minutes, tent loosely with foil.
  7. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes. Use the parchment overhang to lift the whole thing out, then slice into two even bars. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Keep butter cold for flaky crust. Let filling sit for 5 minutes to release juices. Cool bars for at least 20 minutes before slicing to allow filling to set. For best texture, reheat in oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple pie bars, small batch, dessert for two, apple dessert, crumble bars, easy apple recipe

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