If you’re craving the warm, spiced flavors of a classic Dutch apple pie but want something easier to make and share, these Dutch Apple Pie Bars are for you. They start with a buttery shortbread crust, are loaded with spiced apple pie filling, and finished with a chewy, golden brown crumble topping. Each bite is soft, gooey, and full of cozy fall flavor—and they’re a total crowd-pleaser!
This recipe uses Lucky Leaf canned apple pie filling for convenience, but feels totally homemade thanks to the cinnamon-sugar crumble and buttery base. You can cut them into squares for easy serving, and don’t skip the vanilla ice cream on top if you’re feeling extra.
I’ve always loved a good slice of pie, but let’s be honest—traditional pie can be kind of a project. Between the crust chilling, rolling, trimming, and hoping it doesn’t shrink or crack in the oven, it’s not always a weekday-friendly dessert. That’s why I love pie bars. You get all the nostalgic flavor of homemade pie, but in a format that’s way easier to pull off. No pie plate. No lattice work. No stress.
These Dutch Apple Pie Bars are one of my go-to summer & fall desserts, especially when we’re entertaining or heading to a potluck. They travel well, slice cleanly, and look impressive without requiring a ton of fuss. The shortbread crust is basically failproof, and the crumble topping is forgiving and rustic in the best way. Plus, using store bought apple pie filling means I can keep things simple while still delivering that soft, spiced apple center. If you’d prefer a homemade apple pie filling, use this recipe!
Another reason I love these bars? They hit that perfect texture balance—buttery crust on the bottom, sweet and gooey apple filling in the middle, and a thick, chewy crumble on top. It’s the kind of dessert where people go back for seconds (and then sneak a third later on). Serve them warm with vanilla ice cream, or chill them overnight for a firmer, bakery-style bar that’s easy to slice and share.
Whether you’re baking for Thanksgiving, a BBQ picnic, or just craving something cozy on a weekend, these Dutch Apple Pie Bars are a guaranteed hit. They’re easy enough for beginner bakers, but delicious enough to impress any pie lover at the table. Don’t forget to pair with vanilla ice cream!
Dutch Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the crumble:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup salted butter melted
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
For the crust:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup salted butter cold, cubed
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
For the filling:
- 2 21 oz cans store-bought apple pie filling I used Lucky Leaf
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
For the crumble:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until large, moist crumbs form (like a soft cookie dough). Refrigerate until needed.
For the crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a large food processor or mixing bowl, combine flour, butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Pulse or blend until the mixture resembles coarse, damp sand. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup.Prick the crust all over with a fork and bake for 15 minutes, until just lightly golden around the edges.
For assembly:
- While the crust bakes, pour both cans of apple pie filling into a bowl and stir in the ground cinnamon. Spread the filling evenly over the warm crust once it comes out of the oven.
- Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apple layer, gently pressing some of it down to help it stick and bake into the filling. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the bars cool for at least 30 minutes in the pan before slicing. They’ll hold their shape best when fully cooled, but they’re also delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.