Apple Pie Crumb Bars

Apple Pie Crumb Bars

I love apple pie a lot but it can be a pain to make.  I actually think this version is easier and the results are fabulous!  Got this recipe from a pot luck and I can't stop making it.  This recipe is great during fall months when apples are in season and bountiful. Add caramel sauce for extra deliciousness  everyone knows apple and caramel are a match made in heaven.   Enjoy this with your friends and share with neighbors.  They will love you.   

Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Line an 9 x 13 or 10 x 12 baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.  Spray with Pam. Set aside. Using your favorite combination of pie making apples. 

Shortbread Crust
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup  granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup finely ground walnuts or pecans

pinch salt

2 cups all-purpose flour  

Apple Filling
4 large peeled slice thin apples
4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Streusel
1 cup quick cooking oats
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 finely ground walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 stick  unsalted butter, cold and  cut up into cubes

Homemade Caramel Sauce recipe below

Assembly:

Crust:  In a bowl, add the melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt mix with large spoon. Add the flour, ground nuts and mix to combine well. Press the mixture evenly as possible in the prepared baking pan. Bake for about 15 minutes and prepare the other components. 

Apple Pie Filling: Mix the sliced apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla in a  bowl until all of the apples are evenly covered. Place on the side until ready to use.

Streusel Topping: Mix the oats, brown sugar, ground nuts, cinnamon, and flour together in a bowl. Cut in the cold butter with your fingers rubbing the butter into the oat/flour mixture until the mixture looks like  coarse crumbs. Set aside. 

Remove the baked crust from the oven.  In an even layer place the apples on top of the hot crust. It will look like a lot of  sliced apples, press down gently on apples to flatten.  Be gentle.  Sprinkle the streusel on top of apples and bake for 35 minutes or until the  golden brown.

Take out of oven and cool completely to room temperature.  Place in fridge for a few hours to chill completely.   Pull foil sides out and remove the entire apple pie bar pie out.  Slice into desired size pieces.  Drizzle with Caramel sauce or sprinkle some powder sugar on top.

Optional:  Homemade Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce

1 cup Brown Sugar

5 Tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup heavy creamy

pinch salt

Place all ingredients in sauce pan.  Over low to medium heat using a whisk cook slowly for 7 to 10 minutes until thick and caramel like.  If too thin cook longer and keep whisking.  Drizzle over bars and refrigerate left overs.  Reheat and pour over ice cream.  I place my leftover sauce in glass jar and gently microwave until it pours out easily over ice cream.  YUM!