Apple Shortbread Bars

This recipe is for delightful apple shortbread bars, a perfect treat for any season. The rich buttery shortbread serves as a wonderful base for a tangy and sweet apple jam filling, which is made from freshly diced apples and sugar. The bars are adorned with nutty, toasted peanut crumbs, adding a delightful crunch. The preparation involves making a soft dough, rolling it out to form layers, and spreading it with apple jam. These bars are not only delicious but also visually appealing, especially with a decorative layer of pumpkin whipped cream, which retains its form well even outside the fridge. The final touch of cocoa and sugar pearls gives the bars a festive look. It's an impressive bake, perfect for gatherings, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Allow the flavors to meld overnight in the refrigerator for the best taste. For those who enjoy autumn flavors, this dessert captures the essence of fall beautifully. Enjoy these bars with a nice cup of tea or coffee for a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 200 g butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 egg
• 100 g white sugar or powdered sugar
• 30 g brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda or 1 tsp baking powder
• 330 g flour
• 50 g peanuts
• Pinch of salt

Apple Jam:

• Antonovka apples
• Sugar (to taste)
• Semolina

Preparation Time

• 60 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Toast the Peanuts: Begin by roasting the peanuts until light brown. Allow them to cool, then grind them with 30 g of flour until crumbly.
2. Blend Butter and Sugar: In a bowl, cream the softened butter with both white and brown sugar until fluffy.
3. Add Egg and Peanuts: Beat in the egg, adding in salt and ground peanut crumbs. Mix well.
4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the flour combined with baking soda or baking powder until a soft dough forms.
5. Chill the Dough: To ease rolling, refrigerate the dough while you prepare the apple jam.
6. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (around 392°F).
7. Divide and Roll the Dough: Split the dough into two portions, rolling each into a rectangle about 0.5 cm thick. Prick lightly with a fork.
8. Bake the Shortbread Layers: Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the edges brown slightly and the surface appears done. They should look dry and ready when they come out.
9. Prepare Apple Jam: Peel and chop the apples into small chunks. Cook them with sugar over low heat until they soften and break down. Stir in a tablespoon of semolina to thicken.
10. Cool and Spread Jam: Let the jam cool to thicken further before spreading it on the baked shortbread.
11. Assemble the Layers: Spread the jam over one layer, then place the second layer on top. Spread more jam on top.
12. Decorate with Crumbs: Blend the trimmings from the edges into crumbs and sprinkle over the top layer for decoration.
13. Chill the Bars: Wrap with cling film and chill in the fridge to allow flavors to meld.
14. Cut and Decorate: The next day, slice the bars. If desired, top with pumpkin whipped cream which holds its shape well.
15. Finishing Touches: Dust with cocoa and sprinkle with sugar pearls for an elegant touch.

Tips

• Smoother Dough: If dough is sticky, cool it briefly to make rolling manageable.
• Apple Variety: Choose tart apples for a balanced sweet-tart jam.
• Crunch Variation: Substitute peanuts with almonds or walnuts if preferred.

Nutrition

• Calories: 220 per serving
• Protein: 3g
• Fat: 13g
• Carbohydrates: 25g

Variations

• Gluten-Free Option: Use almond flour or a gluten-free baking mix.
• Vegan Alternative: Replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and the egg with a flaxseed or chia seed mixture.

Serving Suggestions

• Perfect with hot beverages like tea or coffee.
• Serve with whipped cream or ice cream for a sumptuous dessert.

Best Places

1. Ladurée - Renowned for its exquisite pastries and elegant setting.
   Location: 16-18 Rue Royale, Paris, France

2. Tartine Bakery - Celebrated for its rustic and delicious baked goods.
   Location: 600 Guerrero Street, San Francisco, USA

3. Café Sabarsky - Offers a Viennese café experience with classic sweets.
   Location: 1048 5th Ave, New York, USA

4. Conditorei Schober - A delightful spot with classic cakes and pastries.
   Location: Napfgasse 4, Zurich, Switzerland

5. Franz & Friends - Popular for its warm ambiance and high-quality pastries.
   Location: Mokhovaya St. 30, Moscow, Russia

6. Brioche Café - Known for its amazing selection of fresh pastries.
   Location: 6-8 St George's Rd, Melbourne, Australia

7. Cova Montenapoleone - An Italian staple known for Casa Cova confections.
   Location: Via Monte Napoleone 8, Milan, Italy

8. Demel - Austrian elegance with traditional Viennese desserts.
   Location: Kohlmarkt 14, Vienna, Austria

9. Konditori La Glace - Offers Danish pastry classics in a charming setting.
   Location: Skoubogade 3, Copenhagen, Denmark

10. Pierre Hermé - A world-famous pâtisserie with innovative flavors.
    Location: 72 Rue Bonaparte, Paris, France