Apple season is truly here, and many of you have been out apple picking with your families, gathering bushels of crisp, juicy fruit. Like me, you’re probably always on the lookout for exciting and delicious ways to incorporate those fresh apples into your baked goods. These Apple Bars with Pumpkin Pie Spice Icing have become a cherished favorite in my household, earning rave reviews from everyone who tries them. They are incredibly soft, bursting with apple flavor, and deliver that quintessential taste of autumn in every bite.

Whether you’re planning a festive Halloween gathering, a pre-trick-or-treating snack for the kids, or simply want a cozy treat for a quiet evening, whipping up a batch of these bars to share with friends and family is always a good idea. The star of the show, beyond the tender apple base, is undoubtedly that luscious, creamy pumpkin pie spice icing. It’s not just a topping; it adds an irresistible extra layer of rich flavor and smooth texture that perfectly complements the spiced apple bars, making each bite an absolute delight.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Bars with Pumpkin Pie Spice Icing

These apple bars aren’t just another dessert; they’re a celebration of fall flavors and a testament to the joy of homemade baking. Here’s why they’re destined to become a staple in your autumn recipe collection:

• The Ultimate Fall Flavor Combo: Apples and pumpkin pie spice are a match made in heaven. The sweet, tartness of the apples perfectly balances the warm, earthy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves found in the pumpkin pie spice.
• Incredibly Soft and Moist: Thanks to the thoughtful balance of ingredients, these bars come out consistently soft, tender, and wonderfully moist, ensuring a delightful texture with every bite.
• Easy to Make: Despite their impressive flavor, these bars are surprisingly straightforward to prepare. The steps are simple, making them accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: From a casual afternoon snack to a festive holiday dessert, these bars fit right in. They’re excellent for potlucks, family gatherings, or just enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea.
• Creamy, Dreamy Icing: The pumpkin pie spice cream cheese icing is not merely an afterthought; it’s a star. Its velvety texture and spiced sweetness add a luxurious finish that makes these bars truly unforgettable.
• Uses Up Fresh Apples: If you’ve gone apple picking, this recipe is a fantastic way to utilize your fresh haul, bringing the taste of the orchard directly into your kitchen.

Choosing the Best Apples for Your Bars

The type of apple you choose can significantly impact the flavor and texture of your baked bars. For optimal results, you want apples that hold their shape well when baked and offer a good balance of sweetness and tartness. Here are some of my top recommendations:

• Granny Smith: These are a classic choice for baking due to their firm texture and tart flavor, which provides a lovely contrast to the sweetness of the bars and icing.
• Honeycrisp: Known for their crisp texture and balanced sweet-tart flavor, Honeycrisps are excellent for baking as they maintain their integrity without becoming mushy.
• Fuji: Sweet and crunchy, Fuji apples also hold up well in baking and lend a delightful sweetness to the bars.
• Gala: Another sweet and mildly flavored apple that works beautifully. They soften nicely without disintegrating.
• Braeburn: These offer a good balance of sweet and tart with a firm flesh, making them ideal for baking.

You can also experiment with a mix of two different apple varieties to achieve a more complex flavor profile. Whichever you choose, ensure they are peeled and chopped into consistent, small pieces for even cooking throughout the bars.

Essential Ingredients for These Delightful Apple Bars

Crafting these apple bars requires a few pantry staples, each playing a crucial role in achieving that perfect taste and texture:

• For the Apple Bars:
• Butter: Use unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. This ensures it creams properly with the sugar, creating a light and airy base for your bars.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar provides sweetness and contributes to the tender texture of the bars.
• Eggs: Large eggs, beaten, act as a binder and add richness and moisture. Ensure they are at room temperature for better emulsion.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a comforting warmth.
• Flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for the bars. Sifting it helps prevent lumps and ensures a lighter texture.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to give the bars their soft, cake-like rise.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: The key spice blend for that quintessential fall flavor. It includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, perfectly complementing the apples.
• Apples: Freshly peeled and chopped apples (see recommendations above) are the star, providing natural sweetness, tartness, and moisture.

For the Creamy Pumpkin Pie Spice Icing:

• Vanilla: A touch of vanilla extract rounds out the sweetness of the icing.
• Butter: Softened unsalted butter provides the rich, creamy base for the frosting.
• Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese, softened, is essential for that tangy, smooth, and decadent cream cheese frosting texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine sugar dissolves easily to create a smooth, lump-free icing.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: A generous amount of this spice blend ensures the icing delivers a clear, festive fall flavor.

Gather Your Ingredients for Baking

Now that you know what you need, let’s dive into the simple process of creating these irresistible apple bars!

How to Make These Irresistible Apple Bars

Creating these fall-inspired apple bars is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these steps for a perfectly baked, tender, and flavorful treat:

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Wet Ingredients

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your batter is ready to go in, promoting even baking. Next, grease a 9×13-inch quarter baking sheet thoroughly. You can use butter, baking spray, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. Set the prepared pan aside.

In a large bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, contributing to the bars’ soft texture. Gradually add the water, vanilla extract, and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until all ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold in Apples

In a separate large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Sifting is important to ensure there are no lumps and that the leavening agents are evenly distributed, leading to a lighter bar. Gently add these dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough bars. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.

Once the dry ingredients are mostly incorporated, it’s time for the star fruit! Gently fold in your chopped apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. This ensures every bite of your bar will have a delightful apple morsel.

Step 3: Bake the Bars to Golden Perfection

Pour the apple bar batter evenly into your greased sheet pan. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it out smoothly to the edges. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean. Keep an eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary. The bars should be lightly golden brown around the edges. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool slightly in the pan before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step is crucial before applying the frosting, as warm bars will melt the icing.

Step 4: Craft the Creamy Pumpkin Pie Spice Icing

While the bars are cooling, prepare the star of the topping! In a large bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth, light, and wonderfully creamy. This should take a few minutes. Make sure both ingredients are at room temperature to prevent lumps and achieve the best consistency.

Gradually add the powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract. Start on a low speed to avoid a cloud of sugar, then increase the speed to medium-high. Beat until the icing is light, fluffy, and completely creamy. If the icing seems too thick, you can add a tiny splash of milk or cream (half a teaspoon at a time) to reach your desired consistency. Once the bars are completely cool, spread this delightful icing generously over them. Cut into squares and serve!