Apple Shortbread Bars with Cinnamon Crumb Topping

These apple shortbread bars have three delicious layers: a buttery shortbread crust, tender cinnamon apples, and a simple brown sugar crumb topping. They are an easy apple dessert for fall baking, Christmas baking trays, or anytime you want something a little different from traditional apple pie. The shortbread crust makes them rich and buttery, while the cinnamon apple filling keeps them soft and full of apple flavour.

Bars are one of my favourite desserts to make when I’m baking for a crowd because they are much easier to prepare in a single batch than cookies. These apple shortbread bars are delicious as they are, or you can add a light dusting of icing sugar once they have cooled. I usually leave them plain so the golden crumb topping shows.

Apple Shortbread Bars Recipe

These apple shortbread bars are made in three layers: a buttery shortbread crust, a cinnamon apple filling, and a simple brown sugar crumb topping. The shortbread crust is based on my favourite homemade shortbread recipe and gives the bars a rich, tender base.

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust Ingredients

Apple Filling Ingredients

Brown Sugar Crumb Topping Ingredients

Step 1: Make the Shortbread Crust

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang to make the bars easier to lift out later.

In a large bowl, sift together the cornstarch, icing sugar, and flour. Add the butter and mix until a soft dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven. The shortbread will only be partially baked at this point.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

Increase the oven temperature to 350°F.

Peel, core, and slice the Granny Smith apples. Place them in a parchment-lined baking pan, then add the sugar, cinnamon, and minute tapioca. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.

Taste one of the apple slices. If the apples are especially tart, add another tablespoon or two of sugar.

Cover the apples with another sheet of parchment paper and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the apples are soft.

Step 3: Make the Brown Sugar Crumb Topping

While the apples cool slightly, make the crumb topping.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and butter with your fingers until the mixture forms small pea-sized crumbs. Add the flour and mix until evenly combined.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Apple Shortbread Bars

Spread the baked apples evenly over the partially baked shortbread crust.

Sprinkle the brown sugar crumb topping evenly over the apples.

Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown.

Let the bars cool before lifting them from the pan and cutting into squares.

Twice Baked Apple Squares

Something a little bit different for Christmas. A shortbread layer covered with not too sweet fresh apple filling.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

  

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Shortbread Layer

• ½ cup corn starch
• ½ cup icing sugar
• 1 cup flour
• ¾ cup butter

Apple Filling

• 4 Granny Smith apples
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon or to taste
• 1 tbsp minute tapioca

Crumb Topping

• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup butter
• ½ cup flour

Instructions

 

Shortbread Crust Layer

• Preheat oven to 325. Line a 8 by 8 pan with parchment
• In a large bowl, sift together corn starch, icing sugar and flour.
• Add the butter and mix until a soft dough forms.
• Transfer to the bottom of the pan and pat flat. Bake at 325 10 minutes. Remove from oven.

Apple Filling Layer

• To protect the shortbread layer the apples are baked twice.
• Line a square baking pan with parchment paper, add the apples, sugar, cinnamon and tapioca.
• Toss until the apples are coated, taste and see if your apple is sweet enough.
• Cover the apples with another sheet of parchment paper and bake at 350 for half an hour until your apples are soft.
• Spread the apples over the shortbread just before adding the brown sugar topping layer
• Mix the brown sugar and butter together with your fingers until the size of peas. Then add your flour. Mix well and pour over top of the cooked apples.

Brown Sugar Crumb Topping

• While the apples bake make the brown sugar topping, you want to have the topping ready to place on top of the baked apples as soon as you transfer them to the shortbread.