Apple crisp shortbread bars

As you pick those apples off the branches at the orchard, you might wonder – what can I do with all these? Well, you can make apple crisp shortbread bars and so many other wonderful apple treats (Check out my other apple recipes).

Makes 9 – 16 squares

Ingredients

Shortbread layer

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

Apple layer

4-5 medium peeled, cored and thinly sliced apples

1 Tbsp lemon juice

2 Tbsps all purpose flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Crumble layer

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp cinnamon

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, cubed

Directions

1. Shortbread crust – Preheat oven to 350°F. Line and grease a 8×8″ or 9×9″ with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, mix the butter and sugar until smooth Add vanilla and continue mixing until dough resembles a crumble. Press the dough evenly along the bottom of the line pan. Bake for 12-14 minutes until dough rises a bit. Then cool.

3. Apple layer – In a large bowl, mix your prepared apple slices with the lemon juice, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Pour this mixture onto the baked shortbread crust and spread evenly.

4. Crumble layer – In a small bowl, mix the crumble layer and sprinkle over the apple layer.

5. Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes or until the apples bubble an the top is golden. Once ready, remove, cool and cut into bars.

6. Enjoy!