Easy Apple Crisp Bars
Easy Apple Crisp Bars, shortbread layer, apple filling and crisp topping make this dessert crunchy and juicy at the same time. It is very easy to prepare with a couple of basic ingredients and yet it will be all you need during these rainy fall days.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp. light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Apple Filling
- 3 large apples peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp. all purpose flour
- 4 tbsp. light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crisp Topping
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tbsp. butter cold, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup rolled oats
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla, then add the flour and salt. Beat on low until a crumbly dough forms.
- Bake the crust: Press the dough firmly and evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Prepare the apples: While the crust is baking, peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.
- Make the apple filling: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly coated. Spread the apple mixture over the warm crust.
- Make the crisp topping: In a bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter and cut it into the mixture with a pastry cutter or your fingertips until coarse crumbs form.
- Add the topping: Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake: Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Cool and slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out with the parchment paper. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
Apple choice: Granny Smith apples work especially well because they hold their shape and add a nice tart contrast to the sweet topping. Gala or Golden Delicious can be used for a sweeter flavor.
Slice the apples thinly and evenly: This helps the apples cook evenly and makes the bars easier to cut.
Don’t skip the pre-bake: Baking the crust before adding the apples helps keep the shortbread base firm rather than soggy.
For the best texture: Make sure the butter for the crisp topping is cold. This helps create a crumbly, crisp topping as it bakes.
Storage: Store leftover apple crisp bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 160mgFiber: 2gSugar: 17g
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