Description
Buttery shortbread bars topped with a spiced pear filling. A perfect balance of crisp crust and tender, jammy fruit.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 large ripe pears, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F (175C) and grease an 8×8 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth.
- Stir in the flour, salt, and vanilla extract until a dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, then remove from the oven.
- In a medium bowl, toss the diced pears with 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Spread the pear mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust.
- Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the fruit is bubbly and the crust edges are golden.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for at least one hour before slicing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American