Taffy apple shortbread bars are a fun twist on a classic holiday dessert! We top a buttery shortbread crust with gooey caramel mixed with apples and peanuts. This is our new favorite Christmas cookie recipe!
Servings : 20Bars
Prep Time 20 minutesmins
Cook Time 25 minutesmins
Total Time 45 minutesmins
Ingredients
For the Shortbread
2cupsall purpose flour
1/4teaspoonsalt
2sticks of butter, softened
1cuppowdered sugar
1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
For the Topping
2Granny Smith Apples, washed, cored and cut into 1/4-inch thick wedges
1cupsalted peanuts
fresh lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
1(14 ounces) bag Caramel Candies, unwrapped
4tablespoonsbutter, softened
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350.
Grease a 9x9 pan with cooking spray and line with foil, leaving some foil to hang off the sides so you can lift out the bars. Set aside.
Sift together the flour and salt, set aside.
In a large mixing bowl cream the butter with an electric mixer, then gradually add in the powdered sugar.
Beat until smooth.
Slowly add in the flour mixture. I use a large serving spoon and add in the flour spoon by spoon. Mix until incorporated.
Spoon the dough into the prepared pan and press in the dough.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Take out the pan and let completely cool.
In the meantime prepare the caramel topping.
Place the sliced apples and peanuts in a bowl, pour in the freshly squeezed lemon juice, toss and set aside.
Put the caramels and butter in a soup pot and melt, stirring frequently.
As soon as the caramel has melted, remove from heat and stir in the apple mixture. Let cool for 5 minutes.
Pour the caramel mixture over the shortbread crust and put in the fridge until caramel sets and the crust hardens. About 2 to 4 hours.
Slowly remove the crust from the pan by holding onto the foil handles.
Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
When cutting the bars you want to feel some resistance from the crust otherwise the cookie will break; the longer you let the crust sit in the fridge, the better results you will have when cutting it into bars.
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.