Homemade Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars
Delight in the flavors of fall with these buttery shortbread bars filled with spiced apples, perfect for gatherings or cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
For the shortbread crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Make sure butter is at room temperature.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the apple filling
- 4 cups peeled and sliced apples (about 4 medium apples) Recommended apples: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional) Pecans or walnuts suggested.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix again.
- Gradually add the flour, salt, and ground cinnamon to the butter mixture. Stir until combined and a crumbly dough forms.
- Press half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Set aside the other half for the topping.
Apple Filling
- In another bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, cornstarch, and extra cinnamon.
- Spread the apple mixture over the shortbread crust.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the apples to create a topping. Sprinkle rolled oats and chopped nuts, if using, on top.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into bars.
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Notes
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and consider drizzling with caramel sauce for added flavor. Store in an airtight container; bars stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature or 3 months in the freezer.