Print

Brown Butter Apple Shortbread Bars

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Rich and cozy apple shortbread bars featuring nutty brown butter, a buttery shortbread base, tender spiced apples, and a golden crumb topping. These slice-and-serve bars deliver all the comfort of apple pie with far less effort.

  • Author: Sophia
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 to 16 bars
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup or 170 g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup (67 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup (73 g) packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup (67 g) granulated sugar (for filling)
  • 1/3 cup (73 g) packed light brown sugar (for filling)
  • 2 tablespoons (16 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/4 pounds (about 570 g) apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/8-inch thick

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Brown the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden and nutty, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 teaspoon salt. Let cool slightly.
  3. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on all sides.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and baking powder. Pour in browned butter and mix until crumbly dough forms.
  5. Reserve 3/4 cup of dough for topping. Press remaining dough evenly into prepared pan.
  6. Bake crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and increase temperature to 375°F (190°C).
  7. Whisk eggs in a bowl. Add sugars, flour, heavy cream, apple pie spice, and salt. Mix until smooth.
  8. Fold in sliced apples and spread mixture evenly over warm crust.
  9. Crumble reserved dough over apples.
  10. Bake 55 to 60 minutes until topping is golden and filling is thickened.
  11. Cool completely in pan for about 2 hours before lifting out and slicing.

Notes

  • Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for best flavor.
  • Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice for extra brightness.
  • Stir chopped walnuts or pecans into topping for crunch.
  • Store at room temperature up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.
  • Allow bars to cool fully for clean slices.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorymomskitchen.com/brown-butter-apple-shortbread-bars/