Apple Pie Lunchbox Bars

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Soft, chewy apple pie spiced blondie bars made with fresh diced apples and finished with a simple vanilla glaze. One bowl, no mixer, and no pie crust, so they come together fast and pack beautifully into a lunchbox.

Prep Time15

Cook Time25

Total Time40

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple blondie bars, apple pie bars, apple pie lunchbox bars, apple snack bars, cinnamon apple bars

Servings: bars

Calories: 157kcal

Author: Kim Lange

Equipment

8x8 baking pan
Parchment paper
Mixing bowls
Whisk

Ingredients

Apple Pie Bars

½ cup melted unsalted butter
¾ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour (add 2 to 3 tablespoons more for less fudgy bars)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
1 to 1 ½ cups finely diced fresh apples (1/4-inch dice)

Vanilla Glaze

½ cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Make the Bars

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to lift the bars out later.
In a bowl, whisk 1/2 cup melted butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth.
Mix in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla until glossy and combined.
Add 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and stir until just combined. For less fudgy bars, stir in an extra 2 to 3 tablespoons flour here (use the full 3 tablespoons if using 1 1/2 cups apples).
Fold in 1 to 1 1/2 cups diced apples until evenly distributed.
Spread the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
Bake 22 to 28 minutes, until the edges are set and the center looks slightly soft.
Cool completely in the pan for clean slices.

Make the Glaze

Whisk 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.
Drizzle over the cooled bars, let the glaze set, then slice into squares.

Notes

Dice apples small (1/4 inch) so they soften evenly and bake into the batter.
If your apples release a lot of moisture, blot them lightly before folding them in so the bars don't turn soggy.
Bars are soft and chewy, more fudgy blondie than cakey. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons more flour for a lighter, cakier bar.
For thicker bars: add 1/4 cup more flour, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar.
Add a pinch of allspice or a little ginger for extra apple pie flavor. Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples work best.

Nutrition