Go Back

Invisible Apple Bars

These Invisible Apple Bars are filled with layers of ultra-thin apples that bake right into a soft, cinnamon-spiced cake. They’re tender, moist, and lightly sweet, with a cozy cinnamon sugar topping and a drizzle of maple cream cheese icing that makes every bite irresistible. A comforting apple dessert reminiscent of classic Jewish apple cake 
Print Pin

Ingredients

  • 4 apples peeled and sliced very thin
  • Juice of 1 orange
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1/3 c. Light brown sugar
  • 1/2 c. Granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 c. whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp salt

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

  • 3/4 c. Granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch salt

Maple Cream Cheese Icing (optional)

  • 2 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/3 c. powdered sugar sifted
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • Pinch salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375F and place parchment paper in a 8x8” baking pan. Set aside.
  • Peel and slice 4 apples very thin (use a mandoline if you have one—just be VERY careful). Add apples to a large bowl and squeeze the juice of 1 orange on top. Stir.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugars, and eggs. Then add in whole milk and vanilla extract, whisk until combined.
  • Add in remaining dry ingredients and stir until combined.
  • Pour batter over apples and stir until coated very well. Make sure the apples are separated and all coated well.
  • This step gets messy, but use your hands to layer and arrange the individual apple slices. Once they all arranged, add the remaining batter on top and press down lightly on the apples. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the guar, cinnamon, and salt for the topping. Sprinkle the sugar mix on top of the apple cake.
  • Bake the cake for 55-60 minutes.
  • Once baked, let cool.
  • While cooling, make the icing if you plan to use it. Cream together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until combined well. Then add in maple syrup while beating on low. Add a pinch of salt and beat again for 1-2 minutes. Drizzle or pipe the icing on top of the cooled cake.

Notes

Makes 9-12 bars.
If possible, just a mandoline slicer to cut the apples as thin as possible.
Don't have an orange?  It would be completely okay to use the juice of 1 lemon instead.