The scent of cinnamon and baked apples always takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. Every fall, she’d bake an apple crisp that filled the whole house with warmth. It was pure comfort food. I wanted to capture that feeling in a portable, shareable treat. Enter these Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars. They’re a delightful mashup – the buttery, crumbly texture of shortbread, topped with a warmly spiced apple filling that mimics a crisp, all in one delicious bar. Trust me, these are the perfect dessert for cozy evenings, holiday gatherings, or just a little self-care.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars
Let’s be honest, sometimes baking can feel intimidating. But these bars? They’re surprisingly easy! Here’s what makes them a winner:
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of what you need in your pantry.
- Easy to Make: No fancy techniques required. This is a perfect recipe for beginner bakers.
- Perfect Texture Combination: The crumbly shortbread base complements the soft, spiced apples beautifully.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The classic apple crisp flavor is universally loved.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble the bars ahead of time and bake them when you’re ready.
The Ingredient List
Let’s break down what you’ll need. I’ve included measurements for both US customary and metric for those who prefer it!
For the Shortbread Base:
- 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For the Apple Crisp Filling:
- 4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and diced (about 4 cups)
- ¼ cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats (optional, but adds a nice texture!)
For the Optional Crumble Topping:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Pinch of cinnamon
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Alright, let’s get baking!
1. Making the Shortbread Base:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This is crucial for that signature shortbread texture! Don’t overwork it.
- Press into Pan: Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of an 8×8 inch square baking pan lined with parchment paper (parchment makes it so much easier to remove later!). You can use your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Pre-Bake: Bake the crust in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
2. Preparing the Apple Crisp Filling:
- Mix the Apples: In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss to coat evenly.
- Dot with Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the apple mixture and gently distribute it on top.
- Add Oats (Optional): If using, sprinkle the rolled oats over the apples.
3. Assembling and Baking the Bars:
- Spread the Filling: Pour the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked shortbread crust.
- Make Crumble Topping (Optional): In a small bowl, combine the flour, oats, cold butter and brown sugar for the topping. Crumble with your fingers or a pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the apples.
- Bake: Bake in the same preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35-45 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.
- Cool Completely: Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. This is really important – they’ll be messy if you try to cut them warm! Chilling them in the fridge for an hour or two helps even more.
Tips, Variations, and Serving Suggestions
Tips for Success:
- Keep Everything Cold: Cold butter is key to a crumbly shortbread crust.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the shortbread dough will result in a tough crust.
- Use a Mix of Apples: Combining different apple varieties adds complexity to the flavor.
- Let it Cool Completely! Seriously, this is important.
Variations to Try:
- Caramel Swirl: Drizzle melted caramel over the apples before baking.
- Pecan Topping: Replace the oats in the topping with chopped pecans.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the apple filling for extra warmth.
- Lemon Zest: Adding a teaspoon of lemon zest to the shortbread batter brightens the flavors.
- Maple Syrup: Substitute maple syrup for the brown sugar in the apple filling for a richer, more autumnal taste.
Serving Suggestions:
- Warm with Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect complement.
- With Whipped Cream: Simple and classic!
- As a Dessert Bar: Cut into squares and serve at your next gathering.
- Enjoy with Coffee or Tea: These bars are the perfect accompaniment to a warm beverage.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
Please note: Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary based on specific ingredients and portion size.
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximately 2.5 x 2.5 inches)
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Fat: 20-25g
- Carbohydrates: 40-45g
- Protein: 3-5g
Your Autumn Baking Adventure Awaits!
These Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars are a delicious way to celebrate the flavors of fall. They’re easy to make, incredibly tasty, and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Don’t be intimidated – give this recipe a try! I hope you love them as much as I do. Happy baking!
