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half dozen apple pecan bars on a wooden tray with caramel drizzle on top
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5 from 7 votes

Apple Pecan Bars Recipe

Apple Pecan Bars are quick and easy to make and the perfect fall dessert. These bars have a buttery shortbread crust, are filled with cinnamon apples and topped with a crunchy, sweet pecan oatmeal topping. Drizzle with caramel sauce and enjoy! 
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 9 bars
Calories: 382kcal
Author: Sabine

Ingredients

Shortbread crust

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • ¼ cup granulated white sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • cup unsalted butter, cold (cut into a few pieces)

Apple filling

Pecan topping

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9" (23x23cm) baking pan with parchment paper with an overhang on two opposite sides. Set aside.
  • Make the shortbread crust in a food processor: Place flour, sugar, salt, and butter in a food processor and pulse until it starts to clump. Transfer to the prepared baking pan and press with your fingers into the bottom of the pan. Then place a piece of paper on top of the crust and even with a flat-bottomed cup. Bake for 15 minutes until crust is lightly browned.
  • If you don't have a food processor, then make the shortbread crust with a pastry cutter or two forks instead: In this case mix together flour, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Then add butter and cut it into the mixture until it starts to clump.
  • Apple filling: In a large bowl, stir together apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla just until combined. Set aside. 
  • Make the pecan topping in a food processor: Place pecans, flour, sugar, salt, butter, and oats in a food processor and pulse until it starts to clump. If you don't have a food processor, then make the pecan topping with a pastry cutter or two forks instead: In this case chop pecans finely. Transfer to a large bowl and add flour, sugar, salt, and oats. Then add butter and cut it into the mixture until it starts to clump.
  • Remove crust from the oven and evenly arrange apples without liquid (if there is any) on top of the baked crust. Sprinkle with the pecan topping. Bake at 350°F/ 175°C for 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Then lift the bars out of the pan with the paper and cut into 9 bars (or more if preferred). Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 582IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg