These apple cider shortbread custard bars sing fall flavors in every bite! Buttery shortbread crust and sweet apple cider custard filling is the most irresistible combo.
It wouldn’t be fall if there wasn’t a little apple cider hanging out in all.the.things.
Let’s just go ahead and make that a LOT of apple cider. Apple cider shortbread custard bars are gonna require that.
I am OBSESSED with how cool these apple cider bars came out, guys. I honestly wasn’t even expecting this recipe to work but somehow the spiced shortbread crust just melded perfectly together with a silky apple cider custard filling.
Those two layers are boooooooomb. It’s just so so good.
First up, let’s talk shortbread!! It’s so simple you could make it in your sleep. Butter, sugar, flour, salt, and a little pile of spices. Pre-bake the crust for a few minutes. DONE.
While the crust pre-bakes, it’ll just take a quick sec to whip up the filling. Eggs, apple cider, sugar, flour, salt. Keeping it nice and basic today, guys and it’s honestly the best.
Dump the filling on top of the crust and send it back to the oven for about 35 minutes. The center should be mostly set but it’s okay if it jiggles a little bit.
Let these apple cider custard bars chill for a little bit before you break ’em open because they will slice like a DREAM.
And holy moly, do they ever taste like a dream. ♥
Apple Cider Custard Bars
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Ingredients
Spiced Shortbread Crust
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Apple Cider Custard Filling
- 6 large eggs
- 3/4 cup apple cider
- 1 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Spiced Shortbread Crust
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together with a handheld mixer until completely creamed, about 2 minutes. Fold in spices, salt, and flour until a dough forms.
- Pat dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake at 350F 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
Apple Cider Custard Filling
- In a large bowl, whisk all filling ingredients until smooth. Pour over crust and bake custard bars at 350F an additional 30-35 minutes until the filling is set (the center may still slightly jiggle)
- Cool bars completely on a wire cooling rack then chill completely before slicing into squares and serving. Enjoy!
john says
yummy recipe
john says
keep posting worthy recipe like this
Linda says
The taste is wonderful. The problem I had after making it twice was that the ingredients never formed a dough. Is there supposed a little liquid or butter added that is not in the recipe?
Dee says
Just came across this recipe and think you’re right, Linda, that the “shortbread” crust is missing something. The 1/2 cup butter certainly seems to be a misprint. If not another entire 1/2 cup, at least another 1/3 cup perhaps.