Make life a little bit sweeter this weekend with an easy dessert that can be cut larger or smaller, depending on your crowd—or appetite. A hint of cardamom in the glaze adds a slightly exotic taste to the familiar apple, notes cookbook author Judith Fertig, who created this recipe for Real Food. Take these to a football party, a potluck dinner, or bring to work as a treat for coworkers. You can substitute cinnamon for cardamom, if you wish.

Photo by Terry Brennan, Food Styling by Lara Miklasevics
Apple Bars with Cinnamon-Cardamom Glaze
Makes About 48 (3×4-inch) Bar Cookies | Recipe by Judith Fertig
For the Crust
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups (3 sticks) butter at room temperature, cut into small pieces
2 large eggs, beaten
For the Filling
6 to 8 large Granny Smith apples (about 3 pounds), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Glaze
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
1/3 cup heavy cream
- Heat the oven to 350° F.
- For the crust, sift the flour, sugar, and salt into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse in the butter until the mixture resembles small crumbs. Pulse in the egg until you have a moist, crumbly mixture. Reserve ¾ cup of the crust mixture.
- Transfer the remaining mixture to a 12×17-inch baking sheet and press into the bottom with your hands. There will be gaps in the crust.
- Arrange the apple slices in rows over the crust. Mix the remaining 1/3 cup sugar with the cinnamon and sprinkle over the apples, then sprinkle on clumps of the reserved crust mixture.
- Bake for 40 to 43 minutes or until the crust has lightly browned and the apples are tender. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack.
- For the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar and spices together, then whisk in enough cream to make a thick, somewhat drippy glaze. Using a whisk or the tines of a fork, ribbon the glaze over the bars. After the glaze sets, store the bars in an airtight container.
Cook’s Note: Pears or plums would also be delicious in this recipe.