Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars
Delightful bars combining the rich flavors of apples with buttery shortbread, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
For the apple filling
- 2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced Best for tart flavor
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour For coating apples
For the topping
- 1 cup rolled oats
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla extract and mix well.
- In another bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Set aside about one cup of this dough for the topping and press the remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
Apple Filling
- In a separate bowl, combine diced apples, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and flour. Toss until the apples are well coated.
Assembly
- Evenly spread the apple mixture over the shortbread crust in the pan.
- Crumble the reserved dough over the apples to create a topping.
- Sprinkle rolled oats over the top for added texture.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft.
- Let the bars cool in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.
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Notes
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or drizzle with caramel sauce for an elegant touch. Can also top with whipped cream for added richness.