Description
These brown butter apple bars feature a buttery shortbread crust and a soft spiced apple filling. Easy to make, cozy, and perfect for fall baking, holidays, or make-ahead desserts.
Ingredients
For the Brown Butter Shortbread
-
¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 12 pieces
-
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
-
2 cups all-purpose flour
-
⅓ cup granulated sugar
-
⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
-
¾ teaspoon baking powder
For the Apple Filling
-
2 large eggs
-
⅓ cup granulated sugar
-
⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
-
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-
2 tablespoons heavy cream
-
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
-
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
-
1¼ pounds apples (Granny Smith, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Gala), peeled, cored, thinly sliced
Instructions
-
Brown the butter
Add butter to a saucepan over medium heat. Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until melted, foamy, and golden brown with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. -
Prepare the shortbread
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Pour in browned butter and stir until crumbly and evenly moistened. -
Bake the crust
Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 9×13 pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes until lightly golden around the edges. -
Mix the apple filling
While the crust bakes, whisk eggs, sugars, flour, cream, apple pie spice, and salt until smooth and glossy. -
Add apples
Fold sliced apples into the filling until well coated . -
Assemble & bake
Pour apple mixture over the warm crust and spread evenly. Bake 25–30 minutes, until the center is set and no longer jiggly. -
Cool & slice
Let bars cool completely before slicing for clean edges .
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 to 16 bars
- Calories: 274
- Sugar: 23.7g
- Fiber: 1.7g
- Protein: 3.2g