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A gooey blondie with apples and cinnamon! This gooey apple bars recipe taste like a cinnamon roll and apple pie in one!
Whether it’s Fall and it’s apple season, or you just need a quick crazy good dessert then these apple pie bars are your friend for sure.
There is something about the smell of cinnamon that just puts me in a good mood. And I love when I can put them in a bar dessert for you that I know you and anyone who gets to try one is going to love. Gooey apple pie bars. I mean what’s not to love about that title right?
They are like if a cinnamon roll and an apple pie got together and had a baby- it would be these apple pie gooey bars.
What are these apple bars like?
They are gooey. Moist. Delicious. I used the The Best Blonde Brownie Recipe as the base for these but I added cinnamon, chopped fresh apples, and snuck in a a layer of condensed milk in the middle.
The condensed milk gives it a gooey texture and a bit of a caramel flavor to these. Basically Fall dessert heaven.
What ingredients do you need to make these apple bars?
- All purpose flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Butter
- Light brown sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Apples
- Condensed Milk
- Milk
- Powdered Sugar
How to make these apple pie bars
Start by preparing your 9×9 pan with aluminum foil and give it a quick non-stick spray. The foil helps to lift the bars out easily after they are done.
Pro Tip: Turn the pan upside down and form the foil over the pan. Then flip the pan over and the foil will fit right inside.
In a mixing bowl, whisk your flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together.
Go ahead and whisk your wet ingredients together in a second bowl.
Using rubber spatula, fold dry ingredients into egg mixture until just combined. Be sure to not overmix.
Then fold in the chopped apple. I used 2 Granny Smith apples for this post. But Gala or Honeycrisp would also work. You can also read my post on What Are The Best Apples For Baking?
Next you will spread 1/2 of the batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with rubber spatula.
And then pour the condensed milk over (this is the gooey part!)
And top with the remaining batter. This part can get a little tricky, some of the condensed milk may be peeking through. Don’t be afraid to use your fingers to help spread the batter around.
Then bake these bars until the top is shiny, cracked, and light golden brown, about 40 to 45 minutes. Be sure to not overbake.
Once the bars have cooled make the glaze. Super simple just whisk powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together. And drizzle over the bars!
Tips for making this Apple Bars Recpe
- Be sure to measure your flour correctly for these bars. Scoop and level with a flat edge. For a full tutorial read this post.
- Make sure your eggs are room temperature. Place them in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes prior to baking.
- To fit the foil into your pan, just flip the pan over and mold the foil to the underside of the pan. Then flip it back over and pop the foil in!
What type of apples are best for baking?
My go to combination is always Cortland apples with Granny Smith apples. They are a perfect pairing of sweet and tart.
I used MacIntosh for these. They get very soft so I preferred them for these bars.
If you can’t find those here are a few more great apples for baking:
- Jonagold
- Braeburn
- Honeycrisp
- Golden Delicious
- Northern Spy
- Pink Lady
For more information, read What Are The Best Apples For Baking?
More apple recipes to try
Tools Needed To Make This Recipe:
- 9×9 Square Pan
- Spatula
- Whisk- this is my NEW favorite whisk (comes with a bowl scraper!!!)
If you love this recipe or have any questions, let me know and leave me a comment and star rating! And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss new recipe or baking tutorial! As a thank you I will send you my 10 baking tips!
Gooey Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter melted, cooled
- 1 1/2 cups (320 g) light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 apples (about 2 cups) chopped
- 1 14- ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
For the Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 350° F. Line a 9 by 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in medium bowl; set aside.
- Whisk melted butter and sugar together in medium bowl until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
- Using rubber spatula, fold dry ingredients into egg mixture until just combined; do not over mix. Fold in the chopped apple.
- Spread 1/2 of the batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with rubber spatula.
- Pour the condensed milk over the batter. Top with the remaining batter. This part can get a little tricky, some of the condensed milk may be peeking through. Don’t be afraid to use your fingers to help spread the batter around.
- Bake until top is shiny, cracked, and light golden brown, about 45 minutes; do not overbake. Cool on wire rack to room temperature. Remove bars from pan by land transfer to cutting board.
- While the bars are cooling prepare the glaze. In a small bowl combine the glaze ingredients. Use a fork or whisk to combine. Drizzle over the cooled bars. Cut into 12 large or 16 small(ish) bars and serve.
Notes
- Tools: 9×9 Square Pan | Spatula |Whisk- this is my NEW favorite whisk (comes with a bowl scraper!!!)
- Be sure to measure your flour correctly for these bars. Scoop and level with a flat edge. For a full tutorial read this post.
- Make sure your eggs are room temperature. Place them in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes prior to baking.
LA Paylor says
I was out of all purpose flour so I used whole wheat (king arthur brand) and it was perfect! VERY moist and gooey, we really diced the apples and they were cooked, I don’t like an apple pie where apples are still hard. The taste is delicious like caramel, and the only trouble is we cut it into 8 pieces as we wanted to gobble it down! Thanks for the easy recipe!
your recipe is going into my “I Like Thursday” post this week as one of my likes!
LeeAnna at blog not afraid of color
Heather says
So glad you loved them! And Love that you used whole wheat flour and they worked well for you!
justice says
how should i store these?
Heather says
I store these at room temperature in an airtight container
Christine says
These are great!! I got SO many compliments on them! I even forgot to put the icing on top, whoops!
Heather says
aw that’s awesome to hear Christine I’m so glad everyone loved them!!!
Tessa says
I left mine in for about 50 minutes and they set up beautifully right out of the oven. Also, some of the condensed milk seeped out to the top, creating this lovely caramel topping. Next time, I will split the condensed milk in 2 and put 1/2 on the very top with a sprinkle of brown sugar!
Heather says
Hi Tessa! I’m glad these worked out for you. And I love the idea of putting some on top with brown sugar. I may have to try that!
Heather says
Hi Tessa! I’ve gone back and updated this recipe yes they do need about 45-50 minutes in the oven. And yes some will seep out onto the top if not covered well but as you can see it’s not a bad thing as it basically turns to caramel! 🙂
Toni bernard says
They don’t seem to be done after 25 minutes , they aren’t even slightly set!
Heather says
Hi Toni! They will continue to set up after you take them out of the oven. And they are meant to be “gooey” because of the condensed milk addition. Try popping them in the fridge and let them sit before cutting. Hope that helps!
sandsunandmessybuns.com says
I’m practically drooling on my keyboard. These look so delicious and are such a perfect treat for fall!
xoxo, erin | sandsunandmessybuns.com
Heather says
Awww Thanks Erin 🙂
Georgina Ingham | Culinary Travels says
These look like the perfect autumnal bake. Packed with seasonal fruit and flavour. Delicious.
Heather says
Thanks Georgina! 🙂
Justine @ Little Dove says
I love blondies and these sound like the perfect take on them! Can’t wait to give them a try, yummy!
Heather says
Thanks Justine! I love blondies too and these are just a delicious gooey version that you can’t go wrong with!
Platter Talk says
Better looking apple bars then any I’ve tried out lately, since I’m into gooey. Looking forward to pouncing on these guys!
[email protected] says
Aw thank you!! Enjoy 🙂
certifiedpastryaficionado says
Holy moly! These look soo ooey and gooey and delicious. You’ve managed to put two of my husband’s favorite things into one dessert: apple pie and cinnamon rolls. He’s gonna die when he sees them. Yummmm! I cannot wait to make these.
Heather says
Oh I’m so glad! Yes I guarantee he will love these- they are bit dangerous to have around 😉
Shayla B Clay says
These look delicious!! I can’t wait to try them! Thanks for the recipe!! 😀
Heather says
Thanks Shayla hope you enjoy 🙂
J at BlessHerHeartYall.com says
The gooey is what got me! Yum! These look like the perfect all treat!
Heather says
Thanks 🙂 I mean how can you go wrong with gooey bars right?
Jenn says
Yep, I can imagine myself biting into one of these saying “ohmygawd” 🙂 I share your love of blondies and this apple pie version looks amazing – must try these stat!
Heather says
I am so glad I am not alone on the love of blondies 🙂 hope you enjoy!
MyYellowApron says
Fall is for desserts and coffee and long walks. thats fall for me. Right now its 3 pm here and I’m literally drooling over your pics.
Heather says
I agree Fall is all of those great things..and maybe one or two of the bars 😉 And thank you I take drooling as the highest compliment!
Anne Voss says
Is the Condensed milk called for in your recipe the same as Sweetened Condensed milk? Thanks
Heather says
Yes it is Anne! Thanks for asking..I’ll update my recipe so there is no confusion!
taylor @ greens & chocolate says
I definitely could not be trusted around these! <3
Charlotte @ What Charlotte Baked says
I’be been trying to come up with some sort of apple pie bar this weekend, but I don’t think it will match up to the epicness of these! The gooey middle is genius!
Oh, how I love fall ❤
Danielle says
Those look so yummy! Fall brings out the best deserts!
Heather says
Thanks Danielle! I totally agree!
sahmwhoblogs says
Yum! What a perfect bite-sized apple pie/cinnamon roll treat! I definitely pinned this to make soon 🙂
Heather says
Thanks for pinning and enjoy!
Jen Enoch says
What the What!!!!??? These look amazing, and I have all the ingredients at home. I surely thought this would require a shopping trip, but no! I’m definitely pinning this and giving it a whirl. Thanks for sharing.