These Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars are a tasty treat with a buttery shortbread base, sweet apple filling, and crunchy topping. They’re simple to make and perfect for sharing.
I love how easy they are to whip up! Plus, the smell of apples baking fills the house. It’s the perfect snack for cozy evenings or just whenever you need a sweet bite! 🍏
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: For the best flavor, I recommend using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples. They’re sweet-tart, perfect for baking. If those aren’t available, feel free to try Fuji or Jonagold for a sweeter taste.
Butter: Unsalted butter is ideal as it allows you to control the salt in the recipe. If you need a dairy-free option, you can use vegan butter or coconut oil, but the flavor may vary slightly.
Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar works great here, but if you’re out, you can substitute with granulated sugar. If you want that rich flavor, mix white sugar with a bit of molasses (1 tablespoon per cup of sugar).
Flour: The recipe calls for all-purpose flour, but you can use a gluten-free blend if you need a gluten-free version. Just make sure your blend includes a binding agent like xanthan gum.
What’s the Best Way to Achieve a Crumbly Topping?
Getting the right texture for your shortbread topping is all about how you handle the butter. Make sure to use cold butter, which gives you that flaky texture. Here’s how to do it:
- Cut cold butter into small cubes. This helps to mix it evenly.
- Use a pastry cutter or your hands to work the butter into the flour mixture quickly, stopping when it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Set aside a portion of this crumb mixture for the topping. This keeps the texture consistent.
Tips: Don’t overwork the dough, or it will become tough. The goal is to keep some lumps for a nice crumbly finish on top!
Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Shortbread Crust and Topping:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For the Apple Filling:
- 5 medium apples (sweet-tart variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and chopped
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe requires about 15 minutes of prep time and 45-50 minutes of baking time. After baking, let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting. Overall, you’ll need about 1 hour and 15 minutes until your delicious dessert is ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This way, it’s ready when you finish preparing your bars! Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to make it easier to lift the bars out later.
2. Make the Shortbread Dough:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Then add the cold cubed butter. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to mix the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs. Set aside about 1 1/2 cups of this mixture for the topping later.
3. Press the Dough into the Pan:
Now, take the remaining shortbread mixture and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. This will be the crust layer.
4. Prepare the Apple Filling:
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss everything together until the apples are well coated. This will give you a delicious apple filling!
5. Assemble the Bars:
Spread the apple filling evenly over the shortbread crust in the pan. It’s okay if some apples overlap—it will still turn out yummy!
6. Add the Crumble Topping:
Take the reserved shortbread crumble and sprinkle it evenly over the apple filling. This will create that wonderful crisp layer on top.
7. Bake the Bars:
Place your baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. You want the topping to be golden brown and the apple filling to be bubbly.
8. Cool and Cut:
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Once it’s cool, use the parchment overhang to gently lift the bars out of the pan.
9. Slice and Serve:
Finally, cut the cooled bars into squares or rectangles. Serve them as they are, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful treat!
Enjoy your delicious Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars with their buttery crust, tender apple filling, and crumbly cinnamon topping! Perfect for any occasion! 🍏🥧
Can I Use Different Types of Apples?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are great choices for a sweet-tart balance, you can also use Fuji, Jonagold, or any apple that holds up well in baking. Just aim for a mix of sweet and tart for the best flavor!
Can I Make These Bars Gluten-Free?
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it includes xanthan gum or another binding agent to help with texture.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 2 months. Just remember to let them thaw completely before enjoying!
Can I Add Other Ingredients to the Filling?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in some dried cranberries, raisins, or nuts for added texture and flavor. Just be sure to adjust the sugar depending on the sweetness of your additional ingredients!
