Apple Cinnamon Cookie Bars

Welcome back to Fall Cookie Week! Today we’re making another cookie inspired by the season – Apple Cinnamon Sugar Cookie Bars.

On to today’s cookie bars.

I always try to incorporate a bar cookie into Fall Cookie Week. I like to vary the colors, shapes, flavors, and textures in an array of cookies. It just seems to make a more interesting arrangement.

I also like to make bar cookies because they are incredibly simple to put together. Everything is assembled in one pan, and you get dozens of cookies with just one trip to the oven. So, if you’re in a pinch and need cookies fast, this is the way to go.

I chose an apple cinnamon-inspired recipe because apples are a fall staple. There are so many varieties of apples available this time of year, and since many of them are locally grown, I think they taste especially good. I’m trying to use apples in every way I can.

As you can see, this dough is loaded with bits of Granny Smith apples. They give these bars great flavor and texture.

For the frosting, I chose to start with a traditional buttercream. To give it a burst of flavor, I incorporated a packet of instant apple cider mix. (This is the kind I used.) I got this idea from the Caramel Apple Cider Cookies I made for a past FCW. (Those cookies are still among my favorites.) The dough required this instant apple cider mix, so I thought I’d try it in buttercream.

I am glad I did. The spiced apple cider flavoring in the frosting complements the taste of the fresh apples. With so much apple flavor, these bars are perfect for the season.

To finish things off, I used a mesh strainer to sprinkle cinnamon on the frosting. The cinnamon adds visual interest and even more flavor. Are you tempted to take a bite?

I hope so.

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As I told you, this bar cookie is so simple, but the results are incredibly delicious.

I chose to cut rectangular bars just to add a new shape to my cookie collection. However, squares or even triangles would also be beautiful. No matter how you cut them, these Apple Cinnamon Cookie Bars are a winner.

I’ll meet you back here tomorrow morning for our final FCW recipe. See you then!

Apple Cinnamon Cookie Bars

Apple cider butter cream tops these apple filled cookies to create the ultimate Apple Cinnamon Cookie Bars.

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Course: cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple, bars, cinnamon, cookies

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 36

Calories: 311kcal

Ingredients

• 5 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups apples peeled and diced

Apple Cider Buttercream

• 1 packet Spiced Apple Cider Instant Drink Mix
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups butter
• 6 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

• Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Then line a 13×18″ baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
• In a large bowl. whisk together the flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
• In another large bowl, with a stand or electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar. Mix on medium speed for 3-4 minutes, until creamy. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. Mix in one egg at a time, blending well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla.
• Next, blend in the flour mixture on low speed until almost incorporated. Finally, add in the apples and mix until just combined.
• Spread the dough out evenly in the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
• In the meantime, prepare the frosting. Begin by dissolving the apple cider drink mix in the milk. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, with a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Carefully add the powdered sugar a cup at a time,alternating with the prepared milk, beginning and ending with powdered sugar. Finally, mix in the vanilla. (If needed, more milk can be added to make the buttercream frosting more spreadable.)
• Once the cookie bars are completely cool, spread them with the buttercream. Allow the frosting to set; then cut into bars.

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 430IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg