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Homemade Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars – Easy & Delicious!

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These Homemade Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars combine the best parts of a classic apple crisp with the irresistible buttery goodness of shortbread. Perfect for any occasion, they are a delightful treat that everyone will love!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter, cold and cut into cubes
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (Optional but Recommended)
  • 4–5 medium Apples, peeled, cored, and diced into small pieces (about ½-inch)
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tbsp Flour or Cornstarch
  • 1 cup Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar (for topping)
  • 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour (for topping)
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon (for topping)
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, cold and cut into small pieces (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the longer sides. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cold cubed unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. If using vanilla, add it in now.
  4. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and pinch of salt, mixing on low speed until just combined and a dough forms.
  5. Press the shortbread dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared 9×13-inch pan.
  6. Bake the shortbread base for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
  7. While the shortbread bakes, peel, core, and dice your apples into ½-inch pieces. Place them in a large bowl.
  8. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour (or cornstarch) to the diced apples. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated.
  9. In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon. Whisk them together.
  10. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Cut the butter into the mixture until coarse crumbs form.
  11. Once your shortbread base has slightly cooled, evenly spread the apple filling over the partially baked shortbread layer.
  12. Sprinkle the crisp topping over the apple filling, ensuring an even distribution.
  13. Return the pan to the preheated oven. Bake for an additional 35-45 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crisp topping is golden brown and bubbly.
  14. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan and slice into squares or rectangular bars.

Nutrition

Keywords: For the best flavor and texture, use a mix of tart and sweet apples. Don't skip the pre-baking of the shortbread base to prevent sogginess.

Find it online: https://softtasty.com/homemade-apple-crisp-shortbread-bars-easy-delicious/