APPLE BARS WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a food processor, combine the flour, confectioners' sugar, and lemon and orange zest. Add butter; cover and process until mixture forms a ball. , Pat into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake until set and the edges are lightly browned, 12-14 minutes. , In a large bowl, combine all the filling ingredients. Pour over hot crust. Bake until set and lightly browned, 14-16 minutes. In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients. Spread over filling. , Bake until topping is set, 7-9 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate overnight. Cut into bars just before serving. Store in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• For the crust and topping: Preheat the oven to 350˚. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper. (This will make it easier to lift the pie bars out of the pan after baking.)  Beat the butter, sugars, and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer for 4-5 minutes, until combined and airy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the flour and salt to the bowl and mix at low speed until combined.  With lightly moistened hands, press about 3/4 of the crust mixture along the bottom and slightly up the sides of your prepared pan. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Place the remaining 1/4 of the crust mixture (about 1 1/2 cups) in the fridge until needed. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake until the crust is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Place on a wire rack to cool. For the filling: Toss the apple slices and vinegar together in a large bowl. Add the brown sugar, cornstarch, apple pie spice, and salt and toss well to coat. Spread the apples evenly over the crust, leaving a small border around the edges. Tear the reserved crust mixture into small pieces. Using your hands, combine the pecans with the dough and scatter the mixture evenly over top of the apples. Bake for 1 hour, rotating pan halfway through, until the apples are fork-tender and the topping is golden brown. Cool completely in the pan, about 1 to 2 hours For the glaze: Combine the maple syrup, butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk or cream in a medium bowl. Whisk until combined and smooth. Once the bars are cool, lift from the pan using the parchment paper overhang and place on a cutting board. Drizzle evenly with the glaze. Cut into squares and serve.