Description
These Pineapple Pie Bars are a delightful dessert featuring a buttery crust topped with sweet pineapple pie filling and finished with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for gatherings, this recipe yields a moist, flavorful treat that combines the tangy sweetness of pineapple with a rich, tender crust and a luscious glaze topping.
Ingredients
Crust and Topping
- ¾ cup butter (softened – 12 tablespoons, or 1½ sticks)
- 1½ cups sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 21 oz pineapple pie filling (1 21-ounce can or homemade)
Vanilla Glaze
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 Tbsp heavy cream (or whole milk, or half & half)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter, baking spray, or non-stick cooking spray to prepare for the crust.
- Cream: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which ensures a tender crust.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, starting with the first egg and including the vanilla extract. Mix well between each egg addition. If the batter curdles, stir in one or two tablespoons of flour to bring it back together.
- Mix Flour: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour until just combined and evenly distributed throughout the dough. Reserve one cup of this dough for the topping.
- Layer Dough and Filling: Spread the remaining dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the crust layer. Spread the pineapple pie filling gently over this dough layer. Drop rounded spoonfuls of the reserved dough over the pineapple filling to create a crumbly top.
- Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and set, and no longer doughy. Remove from the oven and transfer the pan to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare Vanilla Glaze: In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth and pourable, adjusting the consistency as necessary to ensure it drizzles easily yet clings to the bars.
- Drizzle Glaze: Once the bars are fully cooled, drizzle the vanilla glaze evenly over the top. Allow the glaze to set before cutting into bars, or serve immediately if preferred.
Notes
- Using room temperature eggs helps in achieving a smooth batter and better incorporation.
- If the batter curdles during mixing, adding a small amount of flour helps bring it back together.
- You can substitute the pineapple pie filling with homemade pineapple preserves for a fresher taste.
- Allow bars to cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and running off.
- Store the bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to a week refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
