Apple Pie Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup (140g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 large tart apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices
• 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup +1 tablespoon (60g) light or dark brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons (25g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup (45g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (20g) old-fashioned/rolled oats
• 1/4 cup (50g) light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch salt
• 1/4 cup (55g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
• Caramel Sauce (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Note: The apples should be layered on a warm crust, so make sure that by the time the crust is out of the oven, the apple filling and streusel are ready.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Grease or line a 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides for lifting the bars out of the pan after baking. Set aside.

3. 3

   To make the shortbread crust: Process flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor until combined. Add butter and vanilla and pulse until mixture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse meal. Alternatively, you can crumble all the ingredients together in a bowl using a pastry cutter. The mixture may seem a bit dry, but it should come together nicely when pinched with your fingers. If you notice it's a bit dry when you do this, add a bit of cold water to bring the dough together. Sprinkle mixture into prepared pan and press firmly into an even layer to form the crust. Bake for 15-25 minutes, until the edges appear golden. While the crust is baking, prepare the apples and streusel.

4. 4

   Make the apple filling: Place the sliced apples, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a medium-sized bowl. Toss to coat. In a seperate bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then add to the apples and toss to combine.

5. 5

   Make the streusel: Combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium bowl. Cut in the cubed, chilled butter with a pastry cutter, two forks, or even your hand until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

6. 6

   Assemble the apple pie bars: Evenly layer the sliced apples on the warm crust, pressing down gently. The apples should be packed together tightly. Sprinkle the top with streusel and bake for 30-35 minutes until the streusel appears golden brown.

7. 7

   Allow to cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until completely set. Then, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut into squares.

8. 8

   Drizzle with caramel sauce, if desired.