Homemade Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars Recipe
Homemade Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars combine tender apple slices with a fragrant cinnamon and nutmeg spiced crisp topping over a buttery shortbread base. These easy-to-make bars are perfect for a cozy dessert or a sweet snack, offering the comforting flavors of apple crisp in a convenient, handheld form. The balance of the crunchy shortbread, soft baked apples, and sweet spiced crumble makes this recipe a crowd-pleaser for fall or any time of year.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours (including 2 hours cooling and resting time for best texture)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Base
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
- 3 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Crisp Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, melted or softened
Instructions
- Prepare the Shortbread Base. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, cream together the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and salt, mixing to combine. Gradually blend in 1 cup of all-purpose flour until the dough forms a soft, cohesive mixture. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 8×8-inch baking pan to form the base layer.
- Make the Apple Filling. In a separate bowl, toss the peeled and thinly sliced apples with 2 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. This mixture will help thicken the filling and infuse the apples with warm spice flavors.
- Layer the Apples. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the shortbread base in the baking pan, ensuring the apples cover the base fully in a uniform layer.
- Prepare the Crisp Topping. In another bowl, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 3/4 cup packed brown sugar. Add the melted or softened butter and mix with a fork or your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly and sandy in texture.
- Add the Topping and Bake. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the layered apples. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 to 50 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the apple crisp bars to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares. This cooling time helps the bars set and makes them easier to slice. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- You can substitute the apples with pears or a mix of your favorite fruits for variation.
- For an extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans over the topping before baking.
- Make sure to let the bars cool completely before slicing to prevent them from crumbling.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: apple crisp bars, shortbread bars, apple dessert, fall dessert, homemade apple crisp, easy apple bars