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Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars

Apple crisp shortbread bars with a buttery pressed crust, spiced apple layer, and a golden oat crumble topping. Baked until the apples bubble and the crumble looks crisp, then cooled for clean sliceable layers.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 330
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

shortbread base (doubles as crumble)
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
apple filling
  • 4 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
caramel sauce for serving
  • 1 caramel sauce

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and bake the base
  1. Preheat oven to 375F and line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper.
  2. Mix all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, then cut in cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
  3. Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture for topping and press the remaining mixture firmly into the prepared pan.
  4. Bake 12 minutes to set the base.
Build and bake the bars
  1. In a bowl, toss apple slices with granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and lemon juice until coated.
  2. Layer the spiced apples over the hot base.
  3. Scatter the reserved crumble evenly over the apples.
  4. Bake 30-35 minutes at 375F until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling.
Cool and serve
  1. Cool the bars completely before slicing to keep the layers neat.
  2. Drizzle with caramel sauce to serve.

Notes

For the best sliceable layers, cool the bars all the way (at least 2 hours) before cutting, or chill until firm. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; freeze baked bars for up to 2 months. For a lighter twist, replace 1/2 the brown sugar in the filling with coconut sugar or swap in a no-sugar-added caramel for serving if desired.