Delicious Apple Pecan Pie Bars

I thought apple pie was complicated until I discovered these bars. All the flavors of traditional apple pie, but you skip the whole pie crust drama. No rolling, no crimping, no worrying about soggy bottoms.

These apple pecan pie bars give you that same cozy fall feeling without the fuss. You just press the crust into a pan, layer on the apple filling, and sprinkle pecans on top. Easy enough for a weeknight dessert, but fancy enough when company comes over.

What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

Since this recipe calls for apple pie filling, you have a couple of options to work with. You can absolutely use store-bought apple pie filling from a can – it’s convenient and works perfectly for these bars. If you want to make your own filling, go for apples that hold their shape well when baked, like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. These varieties won’t turn to mush and will give you nice apple chunks in every bite. Whether you use canned or homemade filling, make sure it’s not too watery, as excess moisture can make your bars soggy on the bottom.

Options for Substitutions

These bars are pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps, so here’s what you can change up:

• Apple pie filling: You can make your own by cooking 4-5 diced apples with 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until soft. Cherry or blueberry pie filling also work great for a different flavor twist.
• Pecans: Walnuts, chopped almonds, or even toasted hazelnuts make excellent substitutes. If you’re not a nut fan, try rolled oats for some crunch instead.
• Heavy cream: Milk works fine for the glaze, though it’ll be a bit thinner. You can also use half-and-half or even melted butter mixed with a splash of milk.
• All spice: Mix together equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves if you don’t have allspice. Plain cinnamon works too, though you’ll miss some of that warm spice complexity.
• All purpose flour: This is one ingredient I’d stick with as written – the flour creates the perfect bar texture and structure that’s hard to replicate with substitutes.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making apple pecan pie bars is not properly preparing your pan – always line it with parchment paper and lightly grease it, or your bars will stick and break apart when you try to remove them.

Another common error is overbaking the bars, which makes them dry and crumbly instead of chewy, so start checking for doneness about 5 minutes before the recommended time and look for edges that are just set and lightly golden.

Don’t spread the apple pie filling all the way to the edges of the pan, as it can bubble over and burn during baking – leave about a half-inch border around the sides.

For clean, professional-looking cuts, let the bars cool completely before slicing (this takes patience, but it’s worth it), and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts to prevent the filling from dragging.

What to Serve With Apple Pecan Pie Bars?

These apple pecan pie bars are perfect on their own, but they’re even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts slightly against the warm bars. A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce also makes them feel extra special for dessert. I love serving these with a hot cup of coffee or spiced apple cider, especially during fall when the warm spices really shine. For a fun presentation, you can dust them with a little extra cinnamon or serve alongside some sharp cheddar cheese slices – the sweet and savory combo is surprisingly delicious!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These apple pecan pie bars stay moist and delicious when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is really warm, pop them in the fridge where they’ll keep for up to a week – just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Freeze: You can absolutely freeze these bars for later! Cut them into individual portions, wrap each one in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. They thaw perfectly at room temperature in about an hour, making them great for unexpected guests or when you need a quick dessert.

Make Ahead: These bars are actually better the next day once all the flavors have had time to meld together. You can bake them completely, let them cool, and store overnight before adding the glaze. The apple filling gets even more flavorful and the bars hold their shape beautifully when cut.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 4000-4300
• Protein: 35-45 g
• Fat: 190-210 g
• Carbohydrates: 540-580 g

Ingredients

For the base and topping:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

For the filling:

• 21 oz canned apple pie filling
• 1/2 cup crushed pecans
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice

For the glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3 to 5 tbsp heavy cream

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lining it with foil and spraying both the dish and the foil with non-stick spray.

This makes it much easier to remove the bars after baking and helps with cleanup.

I always use this method for bar recipes!

Step 2: Make the Batter

• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Then, add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Over the same bowl, sift in the all-purpose flour and baking powder.

Continue mixing until just combined into a smooth batter.

Step 3: Assemble the Apple Bars

• batter from Step 2
• 21 oz canned apple pie filling
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1/2 cup crushed pecans

Pour about three-quarters of the batter into the prepared baking dish and press it out evenly to form the bottom layer.

Next, spread the apple pie filling evenly across the batter layer.

Sprinkle the ground allspice and crushed pecans over the apple filling for added flavor and texture.

Step 4: Add the Topping and Bake

• remaining batter from Step 2

Spoon the remaining batter from Step 2 in dollops over the apple pie filling, spacing them out to create a rustic, uneven topping.

Bake the assembled bars in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Once baked, transfer the baking dish to a wire rack and let it cool while you prepare the glaze.

Step 5: Prepare and Add the Glaze

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3 to 5 tbsp heavy cream

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth.

If you’d like a thinner glaze, add an extra tablespoon or two of cream until you reach your desired consistency.

Drizzle the glaze over the cooled apple bars before serving.

To make the glaze extra delicious, I sometimes add a tiny splash of vanilla extract or even a pinch of cinnamon.

Delicious Apple Pecan Pie Bars

Delicious Delicious Apple Pecan Pie Bars recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 17 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 52 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Calories: 4150

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

For the base and topping:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

For the filling:

• 21 oz canned apple pie filling
• 1/2 cup crushed pecans
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice

For the glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3 to 5 tbsp heavy cream

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lining it with foil and spraying both the dish and the foil with non-stick spray. This makes it much easier to remove the bars after baking and helps with cleanup. I always use this method for bar recipes!
2. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Over the same bowl, sift in the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Continue mixing until just combined into a smooth batter.
3. Pour about three-quarters of the batter into the prepared baking dish and press it out evenly to form the bottom layer. Next, spread the apple pie filling evenly across the batter layer. Sprinkle the ground allspice and crushed pecans over the apple filling for added flavor and texture.
4. Spoon the remaining batter from Step 2 in dollops over the apple pie filling, spacing them out to create a rustic, uneven topping. Bake the assembled bars in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Once baked, transfer the baking dish to a wire rack and let it cool while you prepare the glaze.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth. If you'd like a thinner glaze, add an extra tablespoon or two of cream until you reach your desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled apple bars before serving. To make the glaze extra delicious, I sometimes add a tiny splash of vanilla extract or even a pinch of cinnamon.