Apple Pie Bars

Recipe number 2 for my holiday treats!  Let me preface this by saying that I like pie, but baking pie can be a little overwhelming sometimes.  Especially when you have a full time (or full time and a half) job, yet need to whip something up for a party the next day.  This tastes very similar to apple pie without too much effort and time.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.  Line a 15x17 inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  Begin by making the crust, beat the butter and the sugar in a medium bowl until light and fluffy.  

At a low speed beat in flour and salt until the dough is soft.

Press the dough over the bottom of the prepared pan, in an even layer.  Bake in the center of the oven for about 20 minutes, until crust is golden and set.  Let cool.

In a large skillet, melt 6 tablespoons of butter with 1/2 cup of brown sugar.

Add in the apples and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, for around 10 minutes until apples are soft.

Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg.  Cook until the apples are soft and tender and liquid is evaporated, about 10 minutes longer.  Let cool.

In a large bowl, mix the oats with flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.  

Using a pastry blender (or kick it old school and use your hands like me) cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal.  Optional to stir in pecans if you choose.

Spread the apple filling over the crust.

Scatter the crumbs on top of the apples, pressing them lightly into an even layer.  Bake in the center of the oven for one hour until the top is golden.  Let cool completely on a rack before cutting into bars.

I served with a little dollop of whipped cream on top, and it tasted exactly like apple pie!  I really enjoyed the oat topping, gave the bars extra flavor.  Enjoy everyone.

Apple Pie Bars

Adapted from: My Baking Addiction

Serving size 4 dozen **I cut in half

Crust:

3 sticks unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

3 cups flour

1/2 teaspoons salt

Filling:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup light brown sugar

12 granny smith apples (peeled, cored and thinly sliced)

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Topping:

3 cups quick-cooking oats

2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups light brown sugar

1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 sticks unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes, chilled

3/4 cups chopped pecans *optional

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 

Line a 15x17 inch baking sheet with parchment paper.

For the crust: beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  

Beat in the flour and salt until dough forms.

Press the dough over the bottom of the prepared pan in an even layer.

Bake for around 20 minutes, and let cool.

For the filling: melt six tablespoons of butter and brown sugar in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the apples to the skillet and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg, and cook until apples are tender, then let cool.

For the topping: mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.

Cut in the butter until well combined.  

Stir in the pecans if you're using.

Spread the apple filling over the crust.

Scatter the crumbs on top, pressing them lightly into the apples layer.

Baking for one your, until the top is golden brown.  

Let cool completely, then cut into bars.