• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Cozy Plum
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Baking Basics
    • Bars & Brownies
    • Breads & Breakfasts
    • Cakes & Cupcakes
    • Cookies
    • Donuts & Muffins
    • Pies & Tarts
    • Savory
    • Miscellaneous
  • Newsletter
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Newsletter
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Newsletter
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    The Cozy Plum » Recipes » Bars & Brownies

    Apple Crisp Bars

    Published: Aug 29, 2021 · Modified: Oct 5, 2022 by Callan Wenner · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

    244 shares
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe

    These Apple Crisp Bars are made with a buttery shortbread base, layered with spiced apple slices and topped with a brown sugar crumble oatmeal topping. A fun twist on a classic that's sure to be a hit at your fall gatherings!

    Posted: 4/3/2020; Updated: 8/29/2021

    a stack of apple crisp bars on a place with apple cider in the background

    These easy apple crisp bars are going to be your go-to dessert for everything fall! They are simple to make, cut easily into large (or small) apple crisp squares for easy transport and eating, and store super well for days.

    The base is chewy, the apples keep a slight crisp bite to them and are pleasantly spiced with warm fall flavors, and that crumble topping! It's my favorite part about the bars and I make it with oatmeal for extra texture and to replicate that classic crisp topping.

    While slightly more labor intensive than a traditional apple crisp, it is well worth it to serve a crisp/pie hybrid and people will love it! These can be eaten cold or brought to room temperature. Warming them up may cause the shortbread to fall apart if you try to pick it up, but you could always just eat it with a fork!

    Make these bars in a 13x9" pan, which serves 12 (or more). You can also half the recipe and make it in an 8x8" pan if you want a smaller quantity. See the FAQs at the end for instructions on how to freeze the bars!

    Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars Recipe

    There's three parts to this recipe: shortbread crust, apple layer, and crumble layer. Here's how to make the best apple crisp bars:

    Start by preparing a 13x9" pan with parchment paper so you can easily remove the bars after they're chilled. Check out this quick video on how I prepare my pan. Also preheat the oven to 300℉.

    Shortbread base

    To make the shortbread base, start by creaming the softened butter in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or with a hand mixer) for four minutes. It will become light in color and slightly aerated. Then, scrape down the sides.

    Add the sugar, vanilla and salt and beat on medium speed for one minute. Scrape down he sides again. Then, add the flour and mix on low until it's just combined. It will look crumbly at first, but then will come together into one mass.

    Pluck off dollops of dough and place them all around the pan, especially along the edges. The dough is slightly sticky, so this is the best way to evenly distribute the dough. Use your fingertips to gently (and relatively quickly) press the dough around.

    Have a bit of patience here - it will all come together. It will feel too thin, but this is correct! Once the dough is evenly pressed into the pan, bake the base for 15 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool. Raise the heat to 350℉.

    Apple Layer

    While the base is cooking, peel, core, and slice the apples to ~⅛" thick and add to a large bowl. Sprinkle over the flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and toss together with a rubber spatula until there's no longer dry bits in the bottom of the bowl.

    Crumble Topping

    To make the crumble layer, simply mix the melted butter, flour, brown sugar, oats and salt with a fork until crumble and no dry pieces remain.

    Assembly

    Sprinkle one third of the crumble topping over the shortbread base. Then, layer the apple slices in rows, slightly overlapping pieces and filling in any gaps as necessary. Lightly press the apples down with your hands.

    Then, sprinkle on the remaining crumble topping evenly over the apples. Return to the oven and bake for 30 minutes until the topping is golden brown.

    Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Then, add to the fridge for at least 2 hours for the bars to firm up.

    When ready to serve, cut the bars (using a sharp chef's knife) into 12 or more pieces and serve.

    Can you make apple crisp without oats?

    Absolutely. If you'd like to omit the oats, add an additional 2T butter, ¼ cup flour and ¼ cup brown sugar to the crumble topping.

    Can you freeze apple crisp bars?

    You can! The best way to do this is to wrap each cut slice in plastic wrap and a piece of foil, then add the a ziptop bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Remove all wrappings and thaw in the fridge on a plate.

    Searching for more dessert bars?

    • S'mores Bars
    • Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars
    • Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
    • Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars
    • Browned Butter Blondies (with chocolate chips)
    Stack of apple crisp bars with a bite removed from the top square

    Apple Crisp Bars (with shortbread)

    Callan Wenner
    These Apple Crisp Bars are made with a buttery shortbread base, layered with spiced apple slices and topped with a brown sugar crumble oatmeal topping. A fun twist on a classic that's sure to be a hit at your fall gatherings!
    4.89 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Cool time 2 hrs
    Total Time 3 hrs 15 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 530 kcal

    Equipment

    • Parchment paper
    • 13 x 9 inch pan
    • Stand mixer with paddle attachment, or handheld mixer

    Ingredients
      

    Shortbread Base

    • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature (113g)
    • ½ cup granulated sugar 100g
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour 240g

    Apple Layer

    • 3-4 medium apples (see notes) cored and sliced ⅛" thick (~400g sliced)
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour 30g
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar 50g
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

    Crumble Topping

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour 120g
    • 1 cup rolled oats 100g
    • 1½ cup light brown sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ cup unsalted butter melted (113g)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 300℉ and line bottom and sides of a 13 x 9" baking pan with a parchment paper sling so you can easily pull the bars out after baked.

    Shortbread Base

    • Place the softened butter into a stand mixer (with paddle attachment) and turn on high speed for 4 minutes until it turns pale and slightly whipped. Scrape down the sides.
    • Add in the sugar, vanilla, and salt and mix on medium speed for one minute. Scrape down the sides again.
    • Add in the flour and mix on low until combined. The dough will look crumbly at first, then will come together and look slightly sticky (this is normal).
    • Scatter pieces of the dough all around the pan and press it (with fingertips) into the edges and middle until all the dough comes together to cover the pan.
    • Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Turn the oven up to 350℉.

    Apple Layer

    • While the crust is baking, peel, core, and slice apples (⅛ inch thick). In a large bowl, combine the apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and lightly toss until the apples are fully coated.

    Crumble Topping

    • Mix the flour, brown sugar, oats, salt, and melted butter with a fork until just combined and crumbly.
    • Sprinkle one third of the topping over the shortbread, then layer the apples over the crumble in slightly overlapping horizontal lines. Gently press down on the apples with your hands.
    • Once the apples are arranged, sprinkle the remainder of the topping evenly on top and bake for 30 minutes.
    • Let cool completely on a wire rack, then refrigerate for 2 hours. Using the parchment slings, remove the full slab of bars to a cutting board and cut into 12 or more pieces and serve.

    Notes

    Preferred apple varieties: Honey Crisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Granny Smith
    These keep in the fridge for up to one week, covered.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 530kcalCarbohydrates: 76gProtein: 5gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 109mgPotassium: 155mgFiber: 3gSugar: 44gVitamin A: 735IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Coffee Toffee Baked Donuts
    Pumpkin Pie Crumble Bars »
    244 shares
    • Facebook
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ana

      October 04, 2022 at 2:57 pm

      5 stars
      These bars are so good! I halved the recipe into an 8x8 and it worked well. Super delicious and easy to make! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Callan Wenner

        October 05, 2022 at 10:20 am

        Yay!! Great news, I know 9x13 can be a bit much unless you're heading to party or such.

        Reply
    2. Morgan

      November 27, 2021 at 4:21 pm

      5 stars
      This is my go-to recipe when I’m wanting to make something to share because everyone loves it!

      Reply
      • The Cozy Plum

        November 28, 2021 at 10:49 pm

        Totally agree with this!! One of my favorites!

        Reply
    3. Shelley

      November 22, 2021 at 5:59 pm

      5 stars
      These bars were delicious!!! Shared them with friends and family and everyone loved them! Such a fun twist on a fall classic. The recipe was easy to follow and I loved the pictures included for each step to show you what things should look like. I will definitely be making these again! Thanks, The Cozy Plum!

      Reply
      • The Cozy Plum

        November 22, 2021 at 9:35 pm

        Wahoo! Love to hear this, thanks for the review, Shelley. These are some of my favorites...

        Reply
    4. Peggy King

      October 24, 2021 at 5:14 pm

      I made these Apple Crisp Bars this morning and they were easy to make and are delicious. I delivered them with homemade beef vegetable soup and bread to my son and daughter-in-law who just brought their new baby home from the hospital. Fall, new baby, comfort foods--it can't get any better than this! Of course the baby stole the show but these bars were a close second.

      Thank you Cozy Plum!

      Reply
      • The Cozy Plum

        October 24, 2021 at 11:43 pm

        Ahh, this sounds like a perfect way to celebrate! Very thoughtful, too. So glad you liked them Peggy!

        Reply
    5. Jeffrey

      September 19, 2021 at 11:43 pm

      5 stars
      These bars are so good! I used Pink Lady apples since that is all my local store had. They worked well. The crust was perfect and the crumb topping! I will be making these again.

      Reply
      • The Cozy Plum

        September 22, 2021 at 9:14 pm

        I'm so happy to hear this! I have made these with so many varieties and they pretty much all hold up! Thank you for making them 🙂

        Reply
    6. Aubrey

      September 06, 2021 at 11:35 am

      5 stars
      Ok the shortbread base MADE these! Such a nice combo of textures, and the apples really did hold up instead of turning to mush. Will be making again soon!

      Reply
      • The Cozy Plum

        September 09, 2021 at 5:54 pm

        I totally agree on the shortbread base! Great to hear!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Holding a coffee cup at a table.

    About Callan

    I'm Callan, and welcome to The Cozy Plum! A recipe developer and photographer of all things sweet, savory, and delicious, I help bakers of any level gain the confidence to create bakery-quality treats in their own kitchen! Let's bake!

    About Callan →

    Valentine's Day

    • Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
    • Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Brownies
    • Dark Chocolate Pots de Creme
    • Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake

    See More Valentine's Day Desserts

    Super Bowl Appetizers

    • Soft Pretzels and Beer Cheese Dip
    • Homemade Pepperoni Bread
    • Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip
    • Baked Brie with Fig Jam

    See More Appetizer Recipes

    Popular Recipes

    • Bakery Style Pistachio Muffins
    • Biscoff Truffles
    • Chocolate Marble Cheesecake
    • Fruit and Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Danish

    Share your bakes with me!

    Did you try one of my recipes? I can't wait to see it!
    Tag @TheCozyPlum and #TheCozyPlum on Instagram!


    web stories

    Let's Connect!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact Page

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 The Cozy Plum, LLC