Easy Apple Crisp Bars
A delightful twist on traditional apple crisp that combines the comfort of a classic dessert with the convenience of handheld bars, featuring buttery shortbread, sweet apple filling, and a crunchy topping.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 1/2 cup 1/2 cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter room temperature
- 1/4 cup 1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups 1 1/4 cups (147 g) all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
- 4 cups 4 cups (500 g) apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 4-5 medium apples)
- 2 Tablespoons 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup 1/2 cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
Crisp Topping
- 3/4 cup 3/4 cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup 1/2 cup (50 g) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons 6 tablespoons (85 g) chilled unsalted butter cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Instructions
Shortbread Crust
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room temperature butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add in 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, mixing until just combined.
- Press the mixture evenly into a lined 9×9 inch baking dish to form the crust.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
Apple Filling
- While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling.
- In a separate bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with 2 tablespoons of flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly over the baked crust once it has cooled slightly.
Crisp Topping
- For the topping, combine 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
- Cut in the chilled butter cubes until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple layer.
- Bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
Notes
For best results, ensure your apples are balanced between tart and sweet varieties. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream can elevate the dessert.