Description
These Best Apple Crisp Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust topped with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and a crispy oat topping. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, these bars combine comforting fall flavors in an easy-to-make dessert that’s great for gatherings or an everyday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Crust
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
- 8 cups apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Oatmeal Crisp Topping
- 8 ounces unsalted butter (cut into cubes, at room temperature)
- 1 and 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Prepare the Shortbread Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the paper overhang on two sides for easy removal, and spray with non-stick baking spray.
- Make the Crust Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, beat together the room temperature butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the flour on low speed and mix until just combined. The dough will be crumbly.
- Bake the Crust: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 16 minutes until slightly golden. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack while you prepare the filling. Keep oven set at 350°F.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Add cinnamon, flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Toss the mixture thoroughly to coat the apples evenly.
- Assemble the Filling: Arrange the coated apples in an even layer over the partially baked shortbread crust in the pan.
- Prepare the Oatmeal Crisp Topping: Cut the butter into small cubes. In a separate large bowl, mix the oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Add the cubed butter and use two forks or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle the oatmeal crisp topping evenly over the apple layer in the pan.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan back into the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples underneath are bubbly and tender.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and transfer it to a cooling rack. Allow the bars to cool for at least 1 hour to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Choose tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a balanced flavor and texture.
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature to achieve a smooth and fluffy crust and topping.
- You can prepare these bars a day ahead; they store well in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge.
- For easier slicing, chill the bars briefly after cooling to firm up the layers.
- Adjust cinnamon to taste if you prefer a stronger spice flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 3x2 inch)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: apple crisp bars, apple dessert bars, autumn dessert, cinnamon apple bars, oat topping bars
