Apple Squares
Apple Squares are a wonderful cake-type cookie bar with pecans. They are quite wonderful to the taste buds and a dessert that fruit lovers will truly enjoy. The original recipe calls for a crust layer and then the apple layer on top. (That’s an excellent way to make this recipe). I decided to combine all the ingredients this time and bake them into a bar. I was short on time and needed to get them in the oven quickly.
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I’ve actually made Apple Squares both ways in the past and I’m not sure which I like better. They’re both great ways to make and serve this scrumptious dessert. After baking, I sprinkle a dusting of confectioners’ sugar over top of the bars before serving. These lovely, elegant bars are an excellent choice for any kind of dessert option. I also like them for breakfast!
Years ago I found this recipe on the Internet when it was still in its very early days. The person who submitted it mentioned that it was a former Pillsbury Bake-Off Winner years ago. Apple Squares are good plain served with powdered sugar (like I’ve done). They can also be served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream as well. Either way is quite tasty.
If you’re looking for a tasty dessert and want to use up some apples and pecans this is a great recipe to try! I mixed all the ingredients together and baked them for these pictures. I also offer the instructions for making this a two-layer bar like the original directions note. These bars improve in taste after a day or so, so try not to gobble them all down right away!
Apple Squares are delicious for dessert or breakfast!
This close up shows the apples and pecans in the recipe. This bar has a lot of crunch from the nuts and apples.
Cinnamon adds a nice taste. These bars actually increase in flavor if they sit out a day. Sprinkle Apple Squares with powdered sugar before serving.
Here’s what I did.
Mix brown sugar, butter, egg, sour cream, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and vanilla.
Mix with an electric mixer until smooth.
Add UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods), apples and pecans or walnuts.
Stir to combine.
Spray 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray. Smooth apple mixture into prepared dish.
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool Apple Squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Cut into bars to serve.
These taste great with vanilla ice cream on top, as well.
Don’t Apple Squares look marvelous? We really enjoyed this fruity dessert.
Here’s the recipe.
APPLE SQUARES
(Recipe adapted from a Pillsbury Bake-Off Winner)
Apple Squares
Equipment
- 1 9x13" glass baking dish
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 electric mixer
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 spatula
- 1 nut chopper if nuts are not previously chopped
- 1 sharp knife to peel and dice apples
Ingredients
- 2 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
- 2 cups light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (measure after chopping)
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt or sea salt
- 1 cup sour cream or plain Icelandic or Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 heaping cups apples peeled and finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, baking soda, salt and cinnamon with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Stir in flour, apples and nuts.
- Spray a 9x13” glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- Pour apple filling into dish.
- Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes.
- Cool before cutting.
- Best if you let wait 24 hours before cutting.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar before cutting.
- Store loosely covered.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Pillsbury.
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
Nutrition
- 2 cups Gold Medal UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. kosher or sea salt
- 1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 egg
- 2 heaping cups apples, peeled and finely chopped
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- In a large bowl, Mix the brown sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, baking soda, salt and cinnamon with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Stir in flour, apples and nuts.
- Spray a 9×13” glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- Pour apple filling into dish.
- Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes.
- Cool before cutting.
- Best if you let wait 24 hours before cutting.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar before cutting. Store loosely covered.
If you like fruit-filled desserts you will love this lovely apple dessert.
This is a great way to use up extra apples. Don’t forget to try these for breakfast!
Apple Squares have a very deep flavor and actually improve in taste in a day or so.
You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!
Apple Squares
Equipment
- 1 9×13" glass baking dish
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 electric mixer
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 spatula
- 1 nut chopper if nuts are not previously chopped
- 1 sharp knife to peel and dice apples
Ingredients
- 2 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
- 2 cups light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (measure after chopping)
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt or sea salt
- 1 cup sour cream or plain Icelandic or Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 heaping cups apples peeled and finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, baking soda, salt and cinnamon with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Stir in flour, apples and nuts.
- Spray a 9×13” glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- Pour apple filling into dish.
- Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes.
- Cool before cutting.
- Best if you let wait 24 hours before cutting.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar before cutting.
- Store loosely covered.
6 Comments
Sandra Chasse
October 9, 2024 at 9:16 pm
I tried this recipe and it was delicious. I will make it again. Thank you
Teresa Ambra
October 12, 2024 at 11:41 am
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Sandra. I’ve made it with peaches and pears as well and it turns out wonderfully!
becky
November 18, 2014 at 6:02 pm
can I use apple pie filling
Teresa
November 18, 2014 at 11:45 pm
I’ve never used apple pie filling in this recipe, Becky, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t work. Remember that in pie filling the apples are sliced rather than diced. It will make really large chunks for the dessert (unless you dice them before adding), but if you like chunky that shouldn’t be any problem. If it was me, I would give apple pie filling a try. I bet it turns out fantastic. Please let me know how it works with apple pie filling and I may try it that way myself next time!
Jenn @ Cakes Cookies and Pie Oh My
February 15, 2014 at 11:15 pm
I recently made this recipe and it turned out great. I’m not a fan of nuts so I left them out, awesome recipe!
Teresa
February 16, 2014 at 5:55 pm
I’m so glad they turned out for you. We sure have enjoyed them through the years. Thanks for stopping by. I love your blog!