Dutch Apple Pie Bars
Enjoy all the flavors of classic apple pie in an easy-to-make bar with these Dutch Apple Pie Bars. Featuring a buttery crust, tender spiced apple filling, and a golden Dutch-style crumb topping, these dessert bars are perfect for fall baking, family gatherings, or holiday celebrations.
Apple Pie….who can resist this delicious fall favorite? I surely can’t!
These apple pie bars are easier than baking a whole pie but just as delicious—making them a go-to recipe for potlucks, bake sales, or cozy weeknight treats. With warm cinnamon, juicy apples, and a sweet crumble topping, every bite tastes like autumn comfort.
Whether you’re searching for the best fall dessert, a make-ahead Thanksgiving treat, or a simple apple recipe, these Dutch Apple Pie Bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Save this recipe to enjoy bakery-style flavor straight from your kitchen.
I definitely crave this delicious apple dessert, especially in Autumn, but sometimes I don’t feel like going through the trouble of making a pastry dough from scratch or even using a store-bought one. Thankfully, these delicious apple pie bars come to the rescue!
I love the combination of cinnamon and nutmeg, so I used both to flavor the apples. Additionally, I adore its buttery, crumbly Dutch-style topping, which is also easy to make.
Yup, it’s even easier than rolling pie dough! 🙂 How convenient is that?
My little boy and hubby feasted on these scrumptious bars so I am glad I made 2 batches as I knew one just wouldn’t be enough.
I am grateful for this recipe which I found on our church cookbook from Holland, Michigan (definitely Dutch country!) and from now on this is how we will enjoy the fresh apples this fall season and beyond.
Doesn’t that look good? It comes out moist and full of juicy apple deliciousness for sure! I hope you like it, too!
All that crumbly deliciousness!!! Enjoy these yummy apple pie bars, fall season or not!
NOTES ON INGREDIENTS FOR DUTCH APPLE PIE BARS
- Flour – use all-purpose or plain flour
- Sugar – white sugar would produce paler bars, so if you wish to give it a deeper color, use brown sugar or do half and half.
- Butter – Use salted butter for some flavor contrast.
- Ground Cinnamon
- Ground Nutmeg
- Apples – use tart apples like Granny Smith because they work better than the sweet variety.
For the Crumb Topping
- Flour
- Sugar
- Butter
HOW TO MAKE DUTCH APPLE PIE BARS
- Butter a 9×9 square baking dish. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Mix the 1 cup flour and 1/3 cup sugar; cut in butter until crumbly with the use of 2 knives or a pastry blender. Press into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in the apples to coat. Spoon over the baked layer.
- Mix the crumb toppings until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apples. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and the apples are soft. Cool completely and cut into bars. Enjoy!
Yield: 16 Bars
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cooking Time: 45-55 Minutes
Total Time: 1 Hour and 10-15 Minutes
This recipe was adapted from the Cooking with Friends Cookbook by the ladies of the Harbor Church, Holland, MI.
Dutch Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ⅔ cup sugar, divided
- ½ cup (8 tablespoons) butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 3 tart apples (like Granny Smith), peeled and thinly sliced
For the Crumb Topping
- ⅔ cup flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ¼ cup butter, room temperature
Instructions
- Butter a 9×9 square baking dish. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Mix the 1 cup flour and 1/3 cup sugar; cut in butter until crumbly with the use of 2 knives or a pastry blender. Press into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix the remaining 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in the apples to coat. Spoon over the baked layer.
- Mix the crumb toppings until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apples. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and the apples are soft. Cool completely and cut into bars. Enjoy!
Notes
Last updated on September 4th, 2025 at 06:53 pm
This was sooooo good, it is definitely a keeper !!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed these apple pie bars. They are absolutely delicious! Thank you so much!!!
It’s good and easy to make!.
Yay! That’s so true! Glad you enjoyed this. Thank you!
CAN YOU FREEZE THESE BARS? I MADE THEM AND MY GRANDCHILDREN JUST LOVED THEM. I MADE A DOUBLE RECIPE AND BAKED IN A SMALLER COOKIE SHEET. THEY WERE GREAT. I WOULD LIKE TO FREEZE TO KEEP ON HAND. THANK YOU
Yes, Dutch apple pie bars can be frozen. For best results, allow the bars to cool completely, cut them into individual bars, and then freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag, layering them with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking to each other. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3-4 months. So glad you enjoyed these yummy bars!