Description
These Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars are the ultimate comfort dessert, blending a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread base with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and a crunchy streusel topping. Perfect for feeding a crowd, these bars are a refined, portable take on the classic apple crisp. With simple pantry staples and a forgiving baking process, this recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, offering a balanced, not-too-sweet treat that highlights the natural beauty of seasonal apples.
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup all-purpose flour (for base)
3 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for filling)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for filling)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup butter, softened (for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup softened butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
Stir in 1 cup of flour until a dough forms, then press evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.
While the base bakes, toss the sliced apples with 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the partially baked shortbread base.
In a small bowl, combine the topping ingredients (1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup butter) and mix with a fork until crumbly.
Sprinkle the topping over the apples.
Bake for another 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
For the best texture, use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Ensure the base is fully cooled before slicing to get neat, elegant bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg