Description
Apple Crisp Bars are easy to make from scratch—promise. This recipe uses a basic shortbread crust topped with apple slices and a simple flavorful crisp.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust :
½ cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups (147 g) all-purpose flour
Apple Filling :
4 cups (500 g) apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced (about 4–5 medium apples)
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
Crisp Topping :
½ cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
¾ cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (85 g) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Instructions
Shortbread Crust :
1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Line a 8×8 pan with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over the ends, spray with cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add vanilla and mix until combined. Add flour and mix until combined and dough is crumbly.
3. Press dough evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until dough is slightly puffed. Remove from oven and set aside, maintain oven temperature.
Apple Filling :
1. Peel, core and chop apples into slices (this apple peeler/corer does the job in minutes). In a large bowl, combine apples, flour and sugar. Mix until apples are thoroughly coated. Arrange apples on baked crust.
Crisp Topping :
1. In a medium bowl, mix together first five ingredients. With a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Spread topping over apples in an even layer.
2. Bake uncovered at 350º F for 45 minutes, or until topping is golden and apple mixture is bubbly. Let cool, lift apple crisp using the extra parchment paper at the ends as handles, and cut into bars.
Notes
Best apples for baking: Choose crisp or tart apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp (or a combination of both!). Avoid sweeter or softer apples, as they can make the filling mushy.
If doubling the recipe, bake it in a metal 9×13-inch pan (glass pans retain heat longer and may overcook the crust). The baking time stays the same.
Store apple crisp bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 5 days.
You can freeze them for up to 1 month. Once the bars have completely cooled, wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 57 minutes