Apple Crisp Bars

One of the easiest and most delicious recipes, the Apple crisp bars are a hit in our house, and we hope you share them with the ones you love this holiday season. 

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Apple Filling

• 4-5 medium apples peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Crisp Topping

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 6 tbsp chilled butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

Instructions

Shortbread Crust

1. Preheat oven to 350 F 
2. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper, leaving extra to hang over the edges, and spray with cooking spray
3. In a large 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 the dough is crumbly.
4. Press dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the dough, is slightly puffed. Remove from oven and set aside.

Apple Filling

1. Peel, core, and thinly slice apples
2. In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, flour, and sugar. Mix until apples are thoroughly coated 
3. Arrange apples on baked crust

Crisp Topping

1. Mix together brown sugar, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. 
2. With a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. 
3. Spread topping evenly over apples
4. Bake uncovered at 350 F for 45 minutes or until topping is golden and apple mixture is bubbly.
5. Let cool, lift apple crisp from baking pan and cut into bars.

Serve by itself or with homemade whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.