Description
These apple crisp shortbread bars bring together a buttery shortbread base, spiced apples, and a crunchy oat topping that you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again. Baking them takes minimal effort since the filling comes together quickly while your oven does most of the work.
Ingredients
Scale
Base:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
Filling:
- 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Sweeteners:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.
- Combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl.
- Cut 1/2 cup of cold unsalted butter into the flour mixture until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press this buttery mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan and bake for 12 minutes at 350°F.
- While the crust bakes, toss your 2 large peeled and thinly sliced apples with 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in a separate bowl.
- In another bowl, mix 3/4 cup rolled oats, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, and 1/2 cup brown sugar together.
- Add the remaining 1/4 cup of cold unsalted butter to your oat mixture and work it together with your fingers until everything becomes crumbly.
- Remove the crust from the oven and spread your apple mixture evenly across the top.
- Distribute the oat topping over the apples in an even layer, then bake for 35 to 40 minutes at 350°F until the topping turns golden brown and the apple filling bubbles around the edges.
- Let your bars cool completely at room temperature before cutting them into squares.
Notes
- Press your shortbread crust firmly and evenly into the pan so it bakes uniformly and holds the filling without crumbling when you slice.
- Toss your apples gently with the brown sugar and cornstarch mixture just before layering to prevent them from releasing too much liquid and making the bars soggy.
- Sprinkle your oat topping in an even layer so it bakes consistently and creates a crispy, golden texture throughout rather than having thick and thin spots.
- If you’re baking for a gluten-free diet, swap regular flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend and use certified gluten-free oats, keeping all other ingredients and baking times the same.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 47 minutes
- Category: Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 258 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg