Apple Almond Shortbread Bars

Square slices of almond apple shortbread spread on a table with whole apples mixed in.

Apple Almond Shortbread Bars

These Apple Almond Shortbread Bars are buttery, not too sweet and loaded with apples. This impressive recipe is so much easier than it looks! Makes 9 big bars (pictured) or 16 smaller bars.

4.84 from 6 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: almonds, apple dessert, apples, baked, bars, cookies, fall, frangipane, shortbread

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 1 15

Total Time: 1 35

Servings: Bars

Calories: 324kcal

Author: Nicole Gaffney (ColeyCooks.com)

Ingredients

For the Crust:

1 cup all purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup (1 stick) butter cut into pieces, plus more for buttering the pan

For the Filling:

¾ cup sliced or slivered almonds lightly toasted
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons butter cut into pieces
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 apples any variety (granny smith would be particularly nice), cored and thinly sliced or diced

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8" pan with parchment paper.
To make the crust, add the flour, sugar and salt to the bowl of a food processor and pulse once to combine. Add the butter, then process until the mixture comes together and forms large clumps, about 30 seconds to one minute. Distribute the dough around the pan and press it evenly around the base and up the sides. Use the bottom of a glass to help even it out if needed. Bake for 15 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before filling.
To make the filling, don't bother cleaning out the food processor and add the almonds, sugar, flour and salt, then pulverize until they form a fine powder. Add the butter and process until evenly distributed, then add the egg and vanilla, and blend until smooth.
Pour the filling into the cooled crust (it's okay if it's still a little warm, just not blazing hot) and spread it out into an even layer. Arrange the apple slices in a pretty pattern if you desire, or just throw the sliced or diced apples on top in a big (even) heap - it doesn't really matter.
Bake for one hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the filling comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before cutting and serving. I prefer them chilled (and they're easier to cut that way too).

Nutrition