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Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars Recipe

Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 22 reviews

Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars combine a buttery, tender shortbread crust with a warm cinnamon-spiced apple filling and a crunchy brown sugar topping, creating a delightful and comforting dessert perfect for any season.

Ingredients

Scale

Shortbread Crust

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Apple Filling

  • 3 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup butter, melted or room temperature to cut in

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the parchment extends up the sides for easy lifting later.
  2. Make Shortbread Dough: Cream the room temperature unsalted butter in a stand mixer on high speed for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Add ¼ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon salt, mixing until fully combined. Gradually add 1 cup all-purpose flour and mix until a dough forms.
  3. Bake Shortbread Crust: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
  4. Prepare Apple Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the peeled and thinly sliced apples with 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Toss to coat the apples evenly.
  5. Prepare Topping: In another bowl, mix ½ cup all-purpose flour and ¾ cup brown sugar. Cut in ¼ cup butter (melted or room temperature) using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  6. Assemble Bars: Remove the shortbread crust from the oven and immediately increase the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle half of the topping evenly over the crust. Then layer the apple mixture evenly on top, spreading it out to be level. Sprinkle the remaining topping evenly over the apples.
  7. Bake Bars: Bake in the 350°F oven for 30 minutes or until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
  8. Cool and Chill: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to firm up the bars.
  9. Serve: Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment edges. Cut into 16 equal squares and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

  • For best results, use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness.
  • Make sure butter is at room temperature for easier creaming and combining.
  • The bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
  • Feel free to add a drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream when serving.
  • If you prefer a softer crust, reduce the initial baking time by a few minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp bars, shortbread bars, apple dessert, fall dessert, cinnamon apple bars

Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/apple-crisp-shortbread-bars-recipe/