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A close-up of golden apple crisp shortbread bars topped with cinnamon sugar and served on a rustic wooden platter, garnished with fresh apple slices.

Easy Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars: The Ultimate Fall Dessert

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Enjoy the quintessential taste of fall with these irresistible Easy Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars. Combining a rich shortbread crust, spiced caramelized apple filling, and a crunchy topping, this dessert is perfect for autumn gatherings, holiday parties, or a cozy evening at home. Easy to make and visually appealing, these bars deliver the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and buttery flavors in every bite.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 bars

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large apples, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup rolled oats

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss until evenly coated and set aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, salt, and oats. Add cold butter and use a pastry cutter or fingers to mix until crumbs form. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture for topping.
  3. Press the remaining shortbread mixture into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish to form the crust.
  4. Spread the apple filling evenly over the crust.
  5. Sprinkle the reserved crumbs over the apples for a crunchy topping.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled bars for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and bubbling around edges.
  7. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For extra crunch, add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the topping.
  • Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for deeper flavor.
  • Drizzle caramel or butterscotch sauce on top before baking for added richness.
  • For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or coconut flour.
  • Author: Emma Bloomfield
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 220 Kcal
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 70mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg