Description
These Easy Apple Crisp Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust with a sweet cinnamon-spiced apple filling, topped with a crunchy crumb topping. Perfectly baked until golden and bubbly, these bars offer a delightful balance of textures and flavors, making them an ideal dessert or snack for fall and beyond.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Crust
- 1/2 cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups (147 g) all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
- 4 cups (500 g) apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced (about 4–5 medium apples)
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
Crisp Topping
- 1/2 cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. Spray the parchment with cooking spray.
- Make the shortbread crust: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add vanilla extract and mix until combined. Stir in 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour until the dough becomes crumbly but holds together when pressed.
- Bake the crust: Press the shortbread dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until slightly puffed and set. Remove from oven and leave the oven on.
- Prepare the apple filling: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. In a large bowl, toss the apples with 2 tablespoons flour and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until thoroughly coated. Evenly spread the apple mixture over the baked shortbread crust.
- Make the crisp topping: In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in the chilled butter cubes until the mixture is crumbly and resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble and bake the bars: Evenly sprinkle the crisp topping over the apple layer. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apple filling is bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Let the apple crisp bars cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out, then cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Chilling the butter for the topping helps create a crisp, crumbly texture.
- Make sure apples are thinly sliced for even cooking.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Warm bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 57-59 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple crisp bars, apple dessert, shortbread crust, fall dessert, easy apple bars
