Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars
These delicious bars feature a buttery shortbread crust layered with spiced apples, making them perfect for sharing over tea or as a comforting snack.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 10 tbsp cold butter adds richness
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar provides moisture and flavor
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar sweetens the mixture
- 1 tsp vanilla extract enhances sweetness
- 1 ¼ cups gluten free 1 to 1 flour or all purpose flour forms structure
- Pinch cinnamon adds warmth
Apple Filling
- 3 red apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (e.g., McIntosh) offers sweetness and moisture
- 1 Granny smith apple, peeled, cored, and sliced provides tartness
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar enhances apple flavor
- 1 tsp cinnamon adds depth
- 1 tbsp lemon juice balances sweetness
- 1 tsp tapioca flour or cornstarch thickens filling
- 3 tbsp water moistens filling
Crumble Topping
- ½ cup gluten free old fashioned oats or regular adds crunch
- ⅜ cup gluten free 1 to 1 flour or all purpose flour gives crumble texture
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar moisture and sweetness for topping
- Pinch cinnamon adds flavor
- ¼ cup cold butter, sliced into small cubes provides richness in topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the crumble topping by mixing all the topping ingredients together in a bowl until crumbly. Refrigerate.
- For the shortbread crust, beat together the cold butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add vanilla extract, flour, and a pinch of cinnamon to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Press the shortbread mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan evenly.
Baking
- Bake the shortbread in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling by cooking apple slices with other filling ingredients in a skillet over low heat for about 5 minutes.
- After the shortbread crust is baked, layer the prepared apple filling evenly over the crust.
- Sprinkle the chilled crumble topping generously over the apple filling.
- Bake in the oven for an additional 35-36 minutes.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.
Notes
These bars store well at room temperature or in the refrigerator; wrap tightly to maintain freshness. Consider adding nuts or dried cranberries for variations.