Homemade Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars Recipe
Introduction
These Homemade Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars combine a tender, buttery shortbread base with a spiced apple filling and a crumbly streusel topping. Perfect for a cozy dessert or an after-dinner treat, they are easy to make and sure to impress.
Ingredients
- Shortbread base: 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature, about 70°F), 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Apple filling: 3 large apples (peeled and thinly sliced, about 1/8-inch thick), 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 tbsp sugar
- Streusel topping: 1/4 cup butter (melted and cooled), 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 300°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Beat the room-temperature butter in a mixer for about 5 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, then mix to combine. Add flour and mix just until dough forms. Press evenly into the pan and bake for 15 minutes until set but not browned.
- Step 2: While the shortbread bakes, combine the sliced apples with 2 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. In another bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour and brown sugar, then knead in the melted butter with your fingers until crumbly like coarse breadcrumbs.
- Step 3: When the shortbread comes out, increase oven temperature to 350°F. Sprinkle half of the crumb topping over the warm shortbread, pressing gently, then spread the apple filling evenly on top. Finish with the remaining crumb mixture. Bake for 30 minutes until topping is golden and apples are tender.
- Step 4: Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature for 1–2 hours to set. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares for clean edges and firmer texture.
Tips & Variations
- Use freshly ground cinnamon for enhanced flavor in the apple filling.
- Chill the bars before cutting to achieve clean slices and prevent crumbling.
- Try swapping half the apples for pears for a subtle twist.
Storage
Store the bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or enjoy cold for best texture. They can also be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen apples for the filling?
Fresh apples work best for texture, but if using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid well before mixing to avoid sogginess in the bars.
What type of apples are best for this recipe?
Tart and firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape well and balance the sweetness of the topping nicely.
PrintHomemade Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars Recipe
These Homemade Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars feature a tender, buttery shortbread base topped with a spiced apple filling and a crumbly brown sugar streusel topping. Perfect as a dessert or sweet snack, they combine the comforting flavors of baked apples with a deliciously crisp, buttery crust and crumb topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 16 bars (4×4-inch squares) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Shortbread Base:
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (about 70°F)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Apple Filling:
- 3 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch thick)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (freshly ground preferred)
- 2 tbsp sugar
Streusel Topping:
- 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Shortbread Base: Preheat your oven to 300°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a mixer, beat the room-temperature butter for about 5 minutes until pale and fluffy to incorporate air and create a tender shortbread texture. Add sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, mixing until well combined. Add flour and mix just until dough forms—avoid overmixing to keep the shortbread tender. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes until set but not browned. This prevents sogginess when adding the apple filling.
- Prepare the Apple Filling and Streusel Topping: While the shortbread bakes, combine peeled and thinly sliced apples with 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg—flour helps absorb apple moisture. In a separate bowl, mix together flour and brown sugar, then add the melted and cooled butter. Use your fingers to knead until mixture is crumbly and resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Freshly ground cinnamon is recommended for best flavor.
- Assemble and Bake the Bars: Once the shortbread comes out of the oven, increase oven temperature to 350°F. Quickly sprinkle half of the crumb topping over the warm shortbread base, pressing gently to adhere. Spread apple filling evenly over this layer, then top with remaining crumb mixture, distributing evenly. Bake for 30 minutes at 350°F until the topping is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced.
- Cool and Set the Bars: Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature for 1-2 hours to allow bars to set properly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm the shortbread for cleaner cutting and better texture. Cut into squares with a sharp knife, wiping blade between cuts for neat edges.
Notes
- The pre-baking of the shortbread base is essential to prevent sogginess from the apple filling’s moisture.
- Use freshly ground cinnamon for more pronounced spice flavor.
- Allow bars to cool and then chill before cutting to achieve cleaner slices and better texture.
- Parchment paper lining makes removal and cleanup easier.
- Use a sharp knife and wipe blade between cuts for the neatest bar edges.
Keywords: apple crisp bars, shortbread bars, apple dessert, crumb topping, homemade apple bars, baked apple dessert, spiced apple bars, easy dessert bars
