Noble Pig

Never Miss A Recipe

· 83 Comments

Fresh Apple Spice Bars

Jump to Recipe

Golden raisins, walnuts and spices reminiscent of apple pie make these light and airy Fresh Apple Spice Bars the perfect sweet treat. Make these during apple season or anytime you are craving a apple treat.

Fresh Apple Bars Recipe

If you love celebrating the fall season, these Fresh Apple Spice Bars might be the perfect treat for you. However, don’t restrict making this lovely apple dessert to only September and October. These bars have been enjoyed by so many throughout the year. They are light, airy and fill the house with the aroma of freshly ripened apples.

When I think of the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon session of coffee or tea, these Fresh Apple Spice Bars come to mind (so do mini crumbles, but that’s another story). But let’s not forget about the holidays. These bars are perfect for a holiday dessert buffet because not everyone likes pies! If I’m entertaining, I like to place a walnut on top of each bar as a way to alert anyone with allergies that nuts are part of this recipe.

Looking For More Fresh Apple Recipes? Try These:

How To Line A Baking Pan With Parchment

  1. With a pencil, trace the bottom of your baking pan onto a sheet of parchment paper.
  2. Cut the parchment paper about six inches longer on each side so it hangs over the sides of your pan. It should only hang over on one side, as seen in the above picture.
  3. Press the paper in the pan, making a crease at the edges, making sure it fits tightly into the bottom. Remove the paper.
  4. Spray nonstick cooking spray onto the sides and bottom of the pan and place parchment on top. The cooking spray helps the parchment stick to the pan and helps keep the parchment from moving when adding the batter to the pan. Using clothespins to hold the parchment in place during batter addition is also really helpful.

How To Make Fresh Apple Spice Bars

  • Prepare your baking pan with parchment (instructions above)
  • Whisk together dry ingredients, making sure they are fully combined
  • Blend together butter, sugar and other wet ingredients. Gradually mix in flour, making sure to not overmix
  • Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts
  • Bake in a 350 degree F oven for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
  • Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing
  • Cool completely before dusting with confectioners’ sugar

Tips For Making Fresh Apple Spice Bars

  • Measure and prepare all ingredients before getting started
  • The recipe calls for a 9 x 13 pan and the Magic Pan is my favorite for baking. It has excellent heat conduction, gives the perfect angles and the sides of your bars/cakes will be edge-less and not over baked. I use it for everything.
  • Use parchment to line your pan (directions are above)
  • The batter is thick so hold down your parchment with clothespins
  • Use a small, offset icing spatula to smooth your batter into place
  • Do not overmix the batter once you add the flour
  • Start checking bars with a toothpick after 25 minutes in the oven to see if they are done
  • Let cool for 15 minutes in the pan before removing to a wire rack.
  • If you want perfectly clean cut edges, cover bars tightly once cooled and refrigerate them overnight.
  • Use a ruler to measure bars before cutting for uniformity of squares
  • Dust with several layers of powdered sugar right before serving.

More Fresh Apple Recipes:

Make a batch for yourself and pack up at least a dozen of these bars and run them over to a friend’s house. You know they will truly appreciate it!

Please join our NOBLE PIG FACEBOOK GROUP for a more in depth look at recipes, cooking tips and other member contributions.

Fresh apple spice bars on a cooling rack.
Print Recipe
5 from 36 votes

Fresh Apple Spice Bars

Golden raisins, walnuts and spices reminiscent of apple pie make the Fresh Apple Spice Bars the perfect sweet treat. 
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Fresh Apple Spice Bars
Servings: 24 bars
Calories: 161kcal
Author: Cathy

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsps baking powder
  • 1 tsp apple pie spice*
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups packed golden brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1-1/2 cups chopped Granny Smith apples, peeled, diced (about 2-3 apples)
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a medium sized bowl, Whisk together flour, baking powder, apple pie spice, cinnamon and salt.  Set aside.
  • With a stand or electric mixer, blend butter and brown sugar; about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla, blending until smooth. Gradually add flour mixture and blend only until incorporated (do not overmix). Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. The batter will be very thick.
  • Prepare a 9 x 13 pan (my favorite is the magic pan) by either liberally coating it with cooking spray or lining it with parchment, which is the preferred method. (See instructions in the post on how to line a baking pan with parchment paper.) Spread apple batter into the prepared pan and bake in the oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • If you lined your pan with parchment, let the bars cool for 15 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Lift them out of the pan with the overhanging parchment on each side, otherwise wait until the bars are completely cool before cutting them into squares before removing.
  • Sprinkle squares with powdered sugar when they are completely cool.

Notes

*If you do not have apple pie spice you can make your own by combining 1/4 cup ground cinnamon, 1 Tablespoon ground allspice, 2 teaspoons nutmeg, 2 teaspoons ground ginger and a 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional). Store in an airtight container.
I love to refrigerate my bars overnight before cutting them to get the perfect slices. I wrap them tightly and hold off with the powdered sugar until after I cut them. This is not necessary, but just something I choose to do for presentation.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Fresh Apple Spice Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 161 Calories from Fat 44
% Daily Value*
Fat 4.9g8%
Saturated Fat 2.5g16%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 25.5mg9%
Sodium 94.9mg4%
Potassium 48.2mg1%
Carbohydrates 27.9g9%
Fiber 0.8g3%
Sugar 19.4g22%
Protein 1.9g4%
Vitamin A 10.1IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 3.6mg0%
Iron 1.5mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Never Miss a Recipe

Subscribe by Email

Comments

  2. Man, I need to just spend about a week going back through all the recipes I’ve been drooling over and start making them!

    I know how to fix that looming big butt problem though…just start inviting us out like P-Dub does! ;o)

    Reply

  3. I do the same thing. I crave fall foods all year round. I think it is because they are most comforting. Chili, pumpkin bread, anything that is spicy cinnamon-y sounds good to me any time. Those bars look great, but I’d have to remove those sneaky blonde raisins. They scare me.

    Reply

  4. Apple bar crack – that was awesome.

    These look amazing! We’ve still got the spring weather going on back here in MA, which is similar to fall weather, so these bars would be perfect!

    Reply

  7. I feel weird if at least a couple times a month I do not make my normal fall/winter dishes. The same way I feel weird if I do not grill out a burger every now and then in the winter time.

    Looks amazing and still a good treat here since our weather is Spring screwy.

    Reply

  11. Wonderful! I haven’t had my breakfast yet and I could so see myself eating one of those bars with my coffee!

    I made a very fall like pot of chili for dinner yesterday, so yes I understand craving for “fall” food!

    Reply

  15. I was sure, after picking more than 25lbs of apples this past autumn that I’d never want to see another one again. I was up to my elbows in apple everything. But I could very well be tempted to make these. They sound so yummy and they look divine.

    Reply

  16. I love apple crack too, LOL! These look delicious and i love apple anything any time of year. I love the golden raisins and nuts in here…yum!

    Reply

  18. These look great. I am in Seattle and we are experiencing some extremely fall-like weather (I assume you are too.) When I walk outside and can see my breath in morning, apple starts to sound really great.

    Reply

  19. Oh I bet these would be so good with a big scoop of ice cream! And I think it always works out that way that we want what’s not in season. I see it as helping the economy, since you end up forking over a boatload for strawberries in the dead of winter.

    Reply

  23. I definitely crave off-season foods all year long. That does kind of mean buying non-local produce, which is supposed to be the wrong thing to do, but sometimes the craving just hits you. I’d eat these apple bars happily in the middle of July.

    Not that I would know anything about hot spring and summer weather. Warmth seems to be a foreign concept here in NY.

    Your egg photo is excellent. It reminds me either of googly eyes or breasts!

    Reply

  28. 5 stars
    Cathy- These were wonderful. I like to eat out of season so to speak, otherwise I get sick of the same things. I am not a raisin lover either, but the golden ones in this recipe were amazing. The bars were just ridiculously delicious, your pictures are gorgeous which made me make them like now. And thanks for the apple pie spice recipe, didn’t have one:)

    Reply

  31. Having just celebrated the arrival of spring here in Montreal (finally), I can’t say I’m craving anything about fall. I try to forget that any seasons besides spring and summer exist. BUT I do love me some apples. Those creations look fantastic. And, I know this may sound weird, but your mixing photos (dough, batter etc) always get me. They are so striking and they make me really hungry.

    Reply

  38. these look delicious! i made pumpkin scones on mother’s day and will be making pumpkin muffins to use up the rest of the can. they were yummy… even if they’re out of season : )

    Reply

  39. If, like me, you’re too lazy to dice your apples, you can quarter them, feed the quarters through the shredder blade of your food processor, and, voila! Little apple pieces! and most of the skin will stay on top of the blade; that which ends up shredded helps you meet your fiber requirements for the day. And now I want apple crack, too!

    Reply

  41. So beautiful… the apple bars and the photos! I love the way you lay it all out. Nice blog.

    I just came across your site from The Hungry Housewife… I will have to keep up with it!

    Reply

  42. I’ve been known to make a pumpkin pie in July, just because. You know. My mom always kept some sliced apples in the freezer so we could make apple cake in the summer. Smart. Sometimes you have to feed the craving! I can’t wait to try these bars!

    Reply

  43. 5 stars
    These apple bars were amazing! I make apple and pumpkin recipes all year long, just because they are my favorites and I really crave them! These turned out divine!

    Reply

  47. Ah, we’ve both been in a apple frame of mind. 🙂 I’m crazy about pumpkin, too, so I’ll eat that any time. Sometimes I have frozen pumpkin (from cooking a fresh pumpkin), but otherwise, I’ll make do with canned. All our family loves these treats all year long.

    When you move, you’ll start feeding all your workers and making new friends with your goodies when you go into “town.” I just know it. 😉

    Shirley

    Reply

  49. 5 stars
    I made pumpkin bread over the weekend even though it was wildly out of season! Then I put these bars in the oven and oh my gosh…they are amazing! Thank you.

    Reply

  50. I love apple baked goods 365 days of the year. No seasons need apply.

    And I’m pretty sure with all the yum you’re cooking up, you will find some new friends to share your bounty with really quickly.

    Reply

  51. Yum..love those chunky apples and raisins in there. Fall is my favorite season (in areas where they have seasons) so I’m all for eating autumny foods year round!

    Reply

  52. Do you EVER sleep???? Moving and baking and blogging and being a mom and wife….you put me to shame….but I love you…I want to be you when I grow up…but if truth be told…I am probably old enough to be your mom…those look de-lish…I love the picture of all of the goodies ready to be mixed in….yummmmmmmmmmmmmm

    Reply

  54. first of all, i’m so glad you used golden raisins instead of red. bleck. secondly, although apple pie is probably my favorite dessert, this will definitely do in a pinch, like when i’m too lazy to make a pie…which is most of the time. 🙂

    Reply

  57. You’ll be so busy, you will work off all the calories you eat. But, if end up with chickens or dogs, you can always share extra food with them. My chickens and dogs love scraps. The dogs only get meat scraps now because they are all so fat. That makes the chickens happy cause they get fed more.

    Reply

  58. These are perfect for any time of year, I would think. I know my husband would love them. I am always tempted to buy that apple pie spice you have pictured. I will have to grab one next time and give these bars a go.

    Reply

  59. Hi Cathy .. I have to comment .. I love the picture of the egg yolks = fantastic!!

    Just visiting San Diego from the UK .. one day I’ll make the trip up the coast and find your little valley ..

    Go well – Hilary Melton-Butcher
    Positive Letters

    Reply

  60. 5 stars
    Those were yummy. And yes I have that problem too. I live in Phoenix and I’m always wanting to make stews and foods that just aren’t great for 115 degree days, but I make them anyway. My whole family loved these.

    Reply

  62. 5 stars
    We (well, mostly hubby) crave apple desserts all year round. Lucky thing that apples are available all year round. These bars were absolutely delightful. Thank you so much for the recipe.

    Reply

  64. 5 stars
    I just finished baking these bars and I had my doubts as the batter was so sticky and thick. I was wondering what I did wrong, but it has come out fantastic the kids love them. thank you

    Reply

  65. 5 stars
    These were amazing! I love making anything baked anytime of year. Just do.

    Ya know… in all your baking, have you ever come across a muffin recipe with carrots, zucchini and ginger? There a local nursery with a small rustic coffee shop that makes carrot zucchini ginger muffins. Oh how I want to make my own. If anyone knows of something like that (or could create it) it’s you! They were so delightful!

    Reply

  66. 5 stars
    I made these last night….FANTASTIC! I prepped more apples than I originally needed, which is fine as they are so popular I’m making a 2nd batch tonight. This recipe is stuck in our family cookbook from this moment on!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Auds at Barking Mad Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Never Miss a Recipe

Menu