Description
These Brown Butter Apple Shortbread Bars are a warm, buttery treat layered with caramelized apples and cozy spices, all nestled between crumbly shortbread layers. Perfect for fall or any time you’re craving comfort in dessert form.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, browned and slightly cooled
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 medium apples, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and salt. Pour in the browned butter and stir until crumbs form.
- Press two-thirds of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to create the crust.
- In a separate bowl, mix chopped apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
- Spread the apple filling evenly over the crust.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the apples as a topping.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the apples are tender.
- Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars and serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a better flavor balance.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting to avoid crumbling.
- Add a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top before baking for extra crunch.
- Bars can be frozen for up to 2 months and reheated as needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: apple shortbread bars, brown butter dessert, fall baking, apple crumble bars, cozy apple bars