As the air turns crisp and leaves start to fall, there’s something comforting about cozying up with a warm, spiced dessert that brings all the best flavors of the season to life. 🍎✨ These Gluten-Free Apple Butter Pie Bars are just that—comfort in dessert form! With a buttery shortbread crust, a luscious apple butter filling, and a spiced crumb topping, this recipe is bound to become a seasonal favorite, whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself.

The best part? These bars are deceptively simple to make, and no one will guess they’re gluten-free. Even the most skeptical eaters will be asking for seconds. Trust me—I’ve made these countless times, and they never disappoint!

Why This Recipe Stands Out

• Single Gluten-Free Flour: Unlike many gluten-free recipes that require a mix of flours and starches, this recipe uses only cassava flour. Cassava flour is naturally gluten-free, easy to digest, and lower on the glycemic index compared to starch-heavy blends. Plus, it creates a beautifully tender crust that pairs perfectly with the rich apple butter filling.
• Homemade Apple Butter: The star ingredient is my homemade apple butter, which adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness. If you haven’t already, check out my post on canning homemade apple butter for tips and inspiration. Using homemade apple butter elevates this recipe and ensures a clean, wholesome dessert without unnecessary additives.
• Fall-Inspired Flavors: With hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and maple syrup, these bars are the epitome of autumn. The spices aren’t just delicious—they’re also loaded with health benefits!

Ingredients Breakdown

Cassava Flour: A gluten-free staple that’s rich in prebiotic fiber, cassava flour is gentle on digestion and creates a tender shortbread crust. I recommend Otto’s or Bob’s Red Mill for the best results.

Cultured Butter: The shortbread crust and crumb topping are made with cultured butter, which has a tangy richness that deepens the flavor. Butter also provides probiotics healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins like A and E. You can also definitely use regular butter!

Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and enhances the overall flavor of the crust and filling.

Organic Un-Refined Cane Sugar: A more natural sweetener with a lower glycemic impact than refined sugar. I love this brand!

Ceylon Cinnamon & Fresh Nutmeg: These spices are key to the warm, aromatic flavor of the crust. Ceylon Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar, while nutmeg supports digestion and adds a cozy touch.

Redmond’s Real Salt: A high-quality sea salt full of minerals that enhances the sweetness of the apple butter and the buttery crust without overpowering the dish.

Homemade Apple Butter: The velvety filling is naturally sweetened and packed with real apples, making it both delicious and nutritious. Store-bought will also work; however, if there are not added spices, you may want to add some! Organic is always best!

Fresh Apples & Maple Syrup: Diced apples mixed with real maple syrup add texture to the filling and a touch of caramelized sweetness. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener with minerals like manganese and zinc.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: A blend of warming spices that pairs perfectly with apple butter for an added depth of flavor.

Crumb Topping: The same shortbread crust doubles as the topping, which simplifies the process while keeping every bite buttery and irresistible.

Grated Fresh Nutmeg: Finishing the bars with freshly grated nutmeg adds a burst of warm, aromatic flavor that’s perfect for the season.

Nutritional Benefits

Not only are these bars delicious, but they’re also packed with nutrients:

• Apples are high in fiber and antioxidants.
• Cassava flour supports gut health with prebiotic fiber.
• Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg offer anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
• Maple syrup is a natural sweetener with a lower glycemic impact than refined sugar.

A Final Word on Flavor

There’s something so special about creating a dessert that’s as nourishing as it is indulgent. These Gluten-Free Apple Butter Pie Bars are proof that healthy, wholesome ingredients can yield crowd-pleasing results. Whether you’re serving these at a holiday gathering or enjoying one with a cup of tea, they’re sure to bring joy and warmth to any occasion.

Don’t forget to share how they turn out! Tag me @theblossomingtable (IG) or @aliciaraymond (FB) and let me know if these bars make it into your fall baking rotation. 🍂

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” – Psalm 24:1

This verse reminds us that everything we create, including these delicious bars, is a gift from God’s creation. From the apples to the spices, we can honor Him by using what He has provided to nourish our bodies and share joy with others. 🌿🍎

I pray you enjoy this delicious recipe!

Much love,
Alicia

Print Recipe

Gluten-Free Apple Butter Pie Bars

As the air turns crisp and leaves start to fall, there’s something comforting about cozying up with a warm, spiced dessert that brings all the best flavors of the season to life. 🍎✨ These Gluten-Free Apple Butter Pie Bars are just that—comfort in dessert form! With a buttery shortbread crust, a luscious apple butter filling, and a spiced crumb topping, this recipe is bound to become a seasonal favorite, whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself.

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: allergy-friendly, gluten-free, nut-free

Keyword: apple, apple butter, Apple pie, Dessert, Gluten Free, snack

Servings: 8 Large Bars (16 Small)

Ingredients

• 125 grams organic un-refined sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg + more for grating on top
• 2 sticks butter room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla + 1/4 teaspoon
• 284 grams cassava flour Otto’s or Bob’s Red Mill are the best (+ 1/2 tablespoon for apples)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 16oz jar or 2 cups apple butter
• 1 apple thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon real maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice can also just cinnamon and nutmeg here

Instructions

• Prepare the Shortbread Crust/Topping:
• Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC) and line a 9-inch (23cm) square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang for easy removal (helpful to also butter the pan using butter wrappers).
• In a large bowl (I prefer to use a kitchen-aid mixer for this recipe), combine sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon & 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg – rub together with your fingers to release spice oils. Add butter & vanilla, mixing until smooth but not overly whipped.
• Gradually add the cassava flour and seas salt to the butter mixture until it forms a crumbly dough (Again, I find it best to use a kitchen-aid mixer here).
• Press about ⅔ of the dough (approximately 408g) evenly into the lined pan to create the shortbread base. Set the remaining dough aside for the crumble topping.
• Prepare the Apple Filling:
• In a bowl, toss apple slices with cassava flour, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, sea salt, and vanilla extract. Use your hands to gently coat the apples evenly.
• Assemble the Bars:
• Spread the apple butter evenly over the shortbread base.
• Layer the seasoned apple slices in a single layer over the apple butter.
• Crumble the reserved dough evenly over the apple slices to create the topping.
• Bake:
• Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crumble is lightly golden and you can see bubbling around the edges.
• Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before slicing. For faster cooling, place the pan in the fridge or freezer.
• Finishing Touch:
• Once cooled, grate fresh nutmeg on top for a warm, fragrant finish.
• Storage:
• These bars are best stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They taste amazing chilled or warmed with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream.
• Enjoy a cozy bite of fall with these delicious bars that are as comforting as they are indulgent! 🍂

Notes

Shop my favorite ingredients: Azure Standard, including where you can get the Un-refined Organic Sugar. Azure has drop-locations all around the country. Just place your order online and choose your drop location. All you have to do is go pick it up! It’s really that easy! 

Another place to get great organic ingredients for less is Thrive Market. Click HERE, to get 40% off your first order.