• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Traditional Cooking School by GNOWFGLINS

Dish up the simple joy of healthy, down-home foods your family will LOVE… tonight.

Join 12,000+ families served since 2010!

  • Join Now
  • About
    • About Wardee & TCS
    • Our Team
    • FAQs & Help
    • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Blog
    • Recipes
    • Archives
  • Podcast
    • #AskWardee
    • Know Your Food with Wardee (retired)
  • Shop
    • Bible-Based Cooking Program
    • Print Textbooks
    • eBooks & eCourses
    • Recommended Tools & Supplies
    • More Books We Love
    • Complete Idiot’s Guide To Fermenting Foods
      • Errata
  • Login
You are here: Home » Food Preparation » Grain-Free Apple Pie Shortbread Bars With Crumb Topping

Make a healthy dinner in 30 minutes or less... while spending $0 extra! Click here for the FREE Eat God's Way “30-Minute Skillet Dishes” formula!

Grain-Free Apple Pie Shortbread Bars With Crumb Topping

We only recommend products and services we wholeheartedly endorse. This post may contain special links through which we earn a small commission if you make a purchase (though your price is the same).

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

apple pie shortbread bars with an assortment of apples and cinnamon sticks with a text overlay: "Grain-Free Apple Pie Shortbread Bars"

Apple season is here!

Which means…

Crisp air, cool breezes, colorful leaves drifting to the ground, aromatic spices like cinnamon and cloves, and seasonal treats!

I love apple spice and pumpkin spice, but apple spice is hands-down my favorite.

Soft and tender apple spice cakes, spiced apple cider, apple pie, baked apples, apple crisp, sourdough apple cinnamon rolls, spiced apple muffins, and so much more.

The Story Behind My Love For Apple Pie

My mom made a beautiful apple pie from scratch when I was a little girl. She’s no longer here, so I hold on to that memory. I can still taste that delectable, cinnamon apple filling!

She taught me how to make the apple pie filling and put the pastry dough ingredients into the food processor for her. I loved learning it all!And then she would roll out the dough and carefully place it over the top of the filling.

To be honest, I rarely make pies anymore. I do love to bake, but I don’t often have the time to make a festive pie, crust perfectly formed over the filling.

So the next best thing?

Grain-Free Apple Pie Shortbread Bars!

There’s just something about that delectable, buttery shortbread crust paired with perfectly cooked spiced apples and streusel-like crumbly topping. Swoon!

These apple pie shortbread bars are such a special treat! Each member of my family loves devouring their own square.

I like to serve them slightly warm so we can enjoy their freshly-baked texture and aroma. If we’re feeling extra fancy, we might even enjoy a square à la mode with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.

The next day, we eat them cold out of the fridge. I often have my square with breakfast. So much fun!

Head to your local U-pick apple orchard or farmers market and grab yourself some crisp, seasonal apples. Then make these special apple pie shortbread bars for your loved ones!

apple pie shortbread bars with an assortment of apples and cinnamon sticks
5 from 1 vote
Print

Grain-Free Apple Pie Shortbread Bars With Crumb Topping

Imagine a homemade, buttery shortbread crust paired with spiced apple pie filling and a streusel-like crumb topping... Awesome, right?! These are the best apple pie shortbread bars because they're healthy (both gluten-free AND grain-free), and so easy! Double this recipe and you'll have enough for a crowd. Or, are you feeling extra fancy? Enjoy them à la mode with vanilla ice cream!

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 52 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 22 minutes
Servings 9 servings
Calories 387 kcal
Author Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

Ingredients

For The Shortbread Crust:

  • 2 cups cassava flour
  • 1/2 cup maple sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup grass-fed butter chilled, cut into cubes

For The Apple Filling:

  • 3-1/2 cups apples preferably organic, cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cassava flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

For The Crumb Topping:

  • 1/4 remaining shortbread dough see recipe instructions, below
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

To make the shortbread crust...

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

  2. Line a square baking dish (8x8" or 9x9") with unbleached parchment paper. Set aside.

  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cassava flour, maple sugar, and salt.

  4. Add the cubed butter. Give it a stir to coat the butter with the flour mixture, then using clean hands, mix the ingredients together until fully combined and crumbly. Do not overmix.

  5. Pour 3/4 of the shortbread mixture into the lined baking pan, reserving the remaining 1/4 shortbread mixture for the crumb topping.

  6. Using your hands, press and flatten the shortbread mixture into the bottom of the baking pan forming an even layer about 1/2 inch thick.

  7. Bake the shortbread for 15 to 20 minutes, just until the edges are light golden brown.

  8. Allow to cool on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes.

To make the apple filling...

  1. While the shortbread is baking or cooling, combine cubed apples, lemon juice, cassava flour, and spices in a medium saucepan or pot.

  2. Stir quickly to coat the apples, then add the maple syrup.

  3. Cook the apples over medium heat for about 7 minutes, until the apples have become softer. Remove from the heat.

  4. Pour the apple filling on top of the baked shortbread and spread out in an even layer.

To make the crumb topping...

  1. Add cinnamon to reserved 1/4 shortbread mixing. Stir to incorporate.

  2. Use your hands to evenly distribute this crumbly shortbread topping over the top of the apple filling.

  3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the topping is slightly golden brown.

  4. Allow to cool on a cooling rack for 25 minutes before serving.

  5. Cut apple pie shortbread into squares. Enjoy warm, room temperature or chilled.

  6. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes

  • Gluten-free AND grain-free
  • To make this recipe Low Vitamin A-compliant, omit cinnamon.
  • Double this recipe and you'll have enough for a crowd
  • Enjoy them à la mode with vanilla ice cream!
Nutrition Facts
Grain-Free Apple Pie Shortbread Bars With Crumb Topping
Amount Per Serving
Calories 387 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Cholesterol 54mg18%
Sodium 250mg11%
Potassium 110mg3%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 25g28%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 642IU13%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Calcium 83mg8%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

And check out our other delicious fall dessert recipes on the blog…

  • Soaked Pumpkin Muffins With Cream Cheese Filling
  • Sprouted Apple Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies
  • Pumpkin Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Pumpkin Pie Panna Cotta: The Elegant, 5-Minute, No-Bake Thanksgiving Dessert
  • Sourdough Apple Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Instant Pot Chai Spiced Apple Cake
  • Allergy Friendly Apple Cranberry Crisp (Use Your Instant Pot!)
  • Soaked Apple Cinnamon Muffins
  • Probiotic Apple Panna Cotta w/Caramel Apple Drizzle

 

Do you have a favorite between pumpkin spice or apple spice? Will you try these Grain-Free Apple Pie Shortbread Bars?

We only recommend products and services we wholeheartedly endorse. This post may contain special links through which we earn a small commission if you make a purchase (though your price is the same).

Posted in: Allergy Friendly Desserts & Cookies Desserts & Cookies (Gluten-Free) Food Preparation Low Vitamin A Recipes Snacks Snacks (Gluten-Free)

About Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

Emily is a water kefir- and chocolate-loving, holistic-minded, homeschooling, wife and mommy of 4. She's a 4-time cookbook author - The Art of Great Cooking with Your Instant Pot, Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot, Low-Carb Cooking with Your Instant Pot, The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes, food photographer and the founder of Recipes to Nourish, a gluten free blog focusing on real food and natural living. She’s a real foodie, passionate about nourishing home cooking, lover of seasonal food, and an advocate of "green" living, essential oils and a mindful lifestyle. Her passion is to make healthy, natural living as uncomplicated and enjoyable as possible. Find Emily’s latest recipes and more at Recipes to Nourish. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liza says

    October 10, 2018 at 10:00 am

    So thankful for you!

    Reply
  2. Kathy says

    October 13, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    What flour can yoou sub for the cassava flour???

    Reply
    • Susan says

      October 14, 2018 at 9:16 am

      Will a substitution with almond flour, banana or coconut flour work? Thanks. Looks delicious!

      Reply
    • Sandy says

      November 1, 2020 at 1:20 am

      https://www.greedygourmet.com/ingredients/cassava-flour-substitutes/

      Reply
  3. Krista says

    October 24, 2018 at 9:35 am

    These look delicious! Do you think I could sub THM’s baking mix for cassava, if so, any idea how much? I could probably start with 3/4 of the recipe amount… wait a few… and gauge if more is needed, but curious if you already have the know-how!

    Reply
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hi and Welcome!

I’m Wardee Harmon and I help Christian families who know they should eat healthy but are tired of complicated, time-consuming, weird-tasting, and unsustainable “healthy” diets…

…who want to look and feel better, save time and money, and have more energy for enjoying family life and serving Him fully!… like I was. Click here for more…

Recently on the Blog

  • Fizzy Apple Cider Switchel (VAD)
  • VitaClay Review & Buyer’s Guide
  • How to Make Healthy Cookies #AskWardee 006
  • Bean and Barley Soup (Instant Pot, Stove Top)
  • Soaked Spelt Banana Bread (VAD)
  • Ancient Grains 101
  • How to Heal Digestive Issues Naturally (Leaky Gut, SIBO, IBS, Celiac & more)
  • How To Meal Plan In 4 Easy Steps (KYF103)
  • Debunking 4 Sourdough Myths (& How To Overcome Them)
  • How To Use A Pressure Cooker 101

Recently Commented

  • Anonymous on Middle Eastern Kefir Cheese Balls {with free video!}
  • Genelle Johnson on Sourdough Einkorn Rosemary Focaccia
  • SUE mom divorced on 5 Ways to Take Care of Yourself During Your Period
  • YTmp3 on How To Make Healthy Mild-Tasting Mayonnaise #AskWardee 128
  • Debbie on 45 Real Food Copycat Recipes (Olive Garden, Chipotle & more!)
  • YTmp3 on Homemade Sauerkraut In A Stoneware Crock
  • AJ on Homemade Dog Food In The Instant Pot

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Before Footer

g-NOWF-glinz

…are what we eat! God’s Natural, Organic, Whole Foods, Grown Locally, In Season.

We love working with other Christian families who love good food and want to eat according to God’s design…

Not only because we believe it’s the healthiest way, but because we want to give Him glory for creating good food as the best medicine!

Learn more about GNOWFGLINS here…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOcH27DM1dI

Eat God’s Way Cooking Program

Our Eat God’s Way cooking program is for Christian families who know they should eat healthy but are tired of complicated, time-consuming, weird-tasting, and unsustainable “healthy” diets…

…who want to look and feel better, save time and money, and have more energy for enjoying family life and serving Him fully!

Join 12,000+ families served since 2010! Learn more here…

Copyright © 2025 Traditional Cooking School by GNOWFGLINS • About • Help • Privacy • Partners

photo collage of apple pie shortbread bars with apples and cinnamon sticks with text overlay: "Grain-Free Apple Pie Shortbread Bars"

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.