Easy Apple Pecan Pie Bars

Rich and creamy, these apple pecan pie bars are the perfect fall treat! Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert!

Have you ever gone apple picking? It’s the best family fun you can do in the fall. Fresh air, crisp apples, hayrides, and even seeing pumpkins make some of our favorite family memories. It’s one of my favorite things to do and now that I think about it…we need to go apple picking this year! 

Biting into a crisp, juicy apple has to be one of the best flavors on the planet. The next best thing is to have them in pies, cobblers and in other tasty desserts. Think caramel apples, apple cakes, salted caramel apples, all those delicious fall flavors. 

What are apple pecan pie bars?

Crisp, nutty pecans meet the full flavor of fall with apples and allspice. Surrounded by a flaky crust and topped with a sweet glaze, the only thing that can improve this dessert is a scoop of ice cream. I would suggest creamy vanilla, or a spicy cinnamon ice cream with this. It’s almost like an apple crisp in a bar form. 

Check out some other great dessert recipes to try:

No Bake Cookie Dough Dip

Glazed Strawberry Scones

6 Ingredient Lemon Bars

Do I have to use canned apples? Can I use fresh apples?

Canned apples make this recipe super easy, but you can certainly use fresh apples if you desire. To convert the recipe to use fresh apples, simply use 8 sliced and peeled apples of your choice and add 1 Tablespoon butter and flour. You will want to toss the apples in the flour, spread on bottom half of the crust and top with butter. Proceed with the recipe.

What kind of fresh apples can I bake with for the best tasting fall desserts?

Apples are very versatile, going from sweet to savory dishes with ease. They have full flavor profiles that range from super sweet to tart, and nearly bitter. Apples can be made into sauce, apple cobbler, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, and pies without skipping a beat. 

While you can eat any apple fresh, or use it for applesauce or baking, there are some apples that are better for baking with. Here are some you fresh apples to try with these apple pecan pie bars:

• Jonagold
• Cortland
• Empire
• Fuji
• Gala
• Golden Delicious
• Granny Smith
• Gravenstein
• Honey Crisp

Are you ready for a delicious dessert that has all the flavors of fall tucked inside? Let’s make some apple pecan pie bars!

Ingredients

• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 cans (21 oz) apple pie filling
• 1/2 cup crushed pecans (optional)
• 1/2 tsp all spice

Click here for my baking essentials!

Glaze

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

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray. Optional: line the dish with foil and spray the foil with non-stick spray for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla. Add in the eggs, one at a time, and mix until well combined.
3. Over the same bowl, sift the flour and baking powder. Mix the wet and dry together until well combined.
4. Pour 3/4 of the batter into the baking dish and press it out evenly on the bottom. Spread 1 1/2 cans of the apple pie filling all along the crust, and then sprinkle with all spice and the pecans (optional).
5. Take the remaining batter and spoon it over the top of the pie filling, spread it out in an uneven way. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Set out to cool while you prepare the glaze.
6. In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and heavy cream until well incorporated. Add more cream if you want a thinner consistency. Drizzle over the top.
7. Best-served same day and perfect with a side of iceWe eat a bunch of them fresh, and I make some into apple sauce for later. Of course, I have to save some for this family fall favorite dessert, apple pecan pie bars.
8. Serve with a scoop of cream.

What is your favorite fall apple dessert? Will you make these apple pecan pie bars?