Apple Crisp Shortbread Square Recipe (Easy)

This is what Thanksgiving and Christmas is like in a square!

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This is by far the best recipe for a twist on classic apple crisp! These Apple Crisp Shortbread Squares are easy to make and are a great treat for Thanksgiving, family dessert, lunch snacks, or just because (let’s face it... we all have Fall fever!)

Make sure to let us know if you make these delicious bars and tag us @hildrethfarm on Instagram! Stop by the farm today to pick up your Ontario grown apples! We have: Macintosh, Sunrise, Ginger Gold, Paula Red, Gala & Honeycrisp!

Shortbread Apple Crisp Squares (Easy)

Ingredients

Shortbread Base:

- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

- ¼ cup sugar

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- ¼ teaspoon salt

- 1 cup all-purpose flour

Apple Filling:

- 3 large apples peeled and thinly sliced (golden delicious or honeycrisp)

- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

- 2 tablespoons sugar

- 1 ground cinnamon

- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

- ½ lemon, juiced

Topping:

- ½ cup all-purpose flour

- ¾ cup brown sugar

- ¼ cup butter – melted or room temp

- ½ cup of steel cut oats

Preparation:

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F and line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper (making sure that the paper is lining all sides as the shortbread bars will transfer out of the pan easier later.

For the Short Bread Base:

Cream butter in mixer for 5 minutes or until butter turns white (vs. yellow). I use a hand-held Kitchen Aid mixer, and this step only takes me about a minute on medium speed. Next add in sugar, vanilla, and salt. Once combined, add flour and mix well. Then, press mixture into parchment lined pan and bake in pre-heated oven for 15 minutes (less for some ovens, keep an eye on base).

Be sure to pay attention to the colour to avoid over mixing. This is a regular oversight when making delicious shortbread!

Apple Filling:

While shortbread is baking, in a medium sized bowl, combine the apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until the apples are well coated.

Make sure apples are well coated.

Topping:

Mix flour, brown sugar, and oats. Add cut or melted butter, and kneed crumble together.

Remove the crust from the oven and turn the heat up to 350/F degrees. Sprinkle one half of the topping over the short bread, then layer the apples on top evenly. Sprinkle the remainder of the topping evenly on top and place in the oven to bake for 30 minutes.

After baking, let cool, then put in fridge for 2 hours to set squares. Serve with vanilla ice-cream, whip cream, or caramel sauce for extra sweetness!

Enjoy!

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Blog cover 📸 : @melissamccallumphotography