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Apple Gingerbread Bars

Apple pie meets gingerbread men in these fabulous, easy Apple Gingerbread Bars — perfect Christmas cookies for holiday baking.

Apple Gingerbread Bars

This recipe was created for my client, Pillsbury, but all opinions are my own.

Like most kids, if my two littles had their way, we’d be digging into dessert every night. We don’t by any stretch, but I do love to surprise them with special desserts whenever possible. I mean, seriously, dessert? I love it too so how could I resist offering it now and again?

These Apple Gingerbread Bars combine gingerbread cookies and an apple pie-ish filling. Wonderfully spiced, and not overly sweet, these Christmas cookies (or, ahem, bars) are a huge treat. And they are super easy too. Which is always a plus, right?

When some family dropped by recently, I pulled out a tray of these and surprised them with a bar each — and since they loved them so much, I sent a bunch home with them too. Sharing is caring and all that, right?

With holiday baking season coming fast, these are a fabulous option for making, sharing and enjoying.

Apple Gingerbread Bars Ingredients

Best of all, these Christmas cookies only call for a few ingredients and can be ready and baking in about 10 minutes.

Love gingerbread? I am a huge fan of Pillsbury’s refrigerated Gingerbread dough. It’s super each to work with and bakes up perfectly every time. I am also a huge fan of bar cookies. So when Pillsbury asked me to create some fresh recipes with their cookie dough, I reached for the gingerbread first and combined it with another seasonal love: apples!

What’s not to love?

Apple Gingerbread Bars with Whipped Cream

They are also pretty darn amazing with a little whipped cream on top. If you are so inclined …

Looking for more cookie ideas? I’ve got ya covered.

Apple Gingerbread Bars

Apple Gingerbread Bars

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 roll, (30 oz) Pillsbury® Gingerbread Value Size cookie dough
  • 3 golden delicious apples, , peeled, cored and diced
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp cold unsalted butter, , cut into pieces

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Press 3/4 of the Gingerbread dough into the bottom of a 9x13-inch glass baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, toss the apples with the sugar and cornstarch. Spread over the partially-cooked gingerbread. Crumble the remaining gingerbread on top and dot with butter.
  4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean.
  5. Let cool completely before slicing into bars.

Disclosure: I was compensated for creating this recipe but all opinions are my own. For more great holiday baking ideas, check out the Serious Eats Pillsbury site.

Barbara Naughton

Thursday 22nd of September 2016

The cook time says 30 minutes, but your Recipe says cook the dough for 15 minutes, then after adding the APPLES, ANOTHER 30 to 35 minutes more. I am confused!!!???? Please explain. Thanx, barbara

Sarah Walker Caron

Friday 23rd of September 2016

Thanks for the catch, Barbara -- the directions are correct, and quick reference cook time has been updated to reflect the correct total cook time. Have a wonderful day!

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Kate

Friday 8th of November 2013

We're trying so hard not to make dessert a regular thing. Which is easy now, because he doesn't have a lot of concept of "dessert." I grew up with fruit desserts, but this is much more inline with my husband's concept of dessert!

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