Apple Pie Bars
Servings 12
Ingredients
**Shortbread:**
- – 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour about 28 ounces
- – 1/2 cup cornstarch about 2.6 ounces
- – 1 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar about 10.5 ounces
- – 2 cups salted butter room temperature (4 sticks)
- – 1 teaspoon salt
**Filling:**
- – 6 tablespoons butter 3/4 stick
- – 6 large green apples peeled, cored, and cut into 1/8-inch slices
- – 1/3 cup brown sugar about 2.8 ounces
- – 1/3 cup white sugar about 2.8 ounces
- – Zest of 1 lemon
- – 1/2 teaspoon salt
- – 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- – 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
**Crumb Topping:**
- – 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour about 6.5 ounces
- – 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- – 3/4 cup brown sugar about 5.6 ounces
- – 1/2 cup melted butter 1 stick
**Glaze:**
- – 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar about 8 ounces
- – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- – 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
**Shortbread Layer:**
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (3-5 minutes on medium-high speed).
- Add the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Pulse until just combined.
- Pat the shortbread into a parchment-lined 9×13 inch pan until it forms an even layer.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until golden brown (check after 35 minutes if using a metal pan).
- After baking, reduce the oven temperature to 300°F for baking the bars.
**Apple Pie Filling:**
- While the shortbread bakes, brown the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and toasty.
- Stir in the sugars, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- Add the apple slices and lemon zest. Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until slightly softened. Set aside to cool.
**Crumb Topping:**
- In a bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
- Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until large crumbs form. Set aside.
**Assembly:**
- Spread the apple pie filling evenly over the cooked shortbread.
- Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apple layer.
- Bake at 300°F for 30 minutes.
- Increase the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for an additional 15 minutes until golden brown.
**Glaze:**
- In a medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and vanilla. Gradually whisk in milk.
- Once the bars are cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top using a spoon or piping bag (a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off works too).