Apple Pie Bars

"Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness." -- Jane Austen

These are fast becoming a family favorite, I can pack them in lunches, serve them at family dinners or take them as snacks for a day of running around town.  With all the lovely apples in the Pacific NW we can live on apple treats for months without tiring of them.  I can justify eating an apple dessert for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  And nothing makes me happier then the sweet, soft smells of apple and cinnamon caressing my house with it's warm ways.

This is a lengthy recipe.  It takes some time and planning, but you get down time to do other things in the midst of chilling dough and cooling apples. 

Crust:
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tbsp sugar
7 tbsp. very soft butter (not melted)
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp. water (plus more if needed to get the crust together)

Start by making the crust, mix ingredients in a stand mixer, it will form a ball.  Press dough into a 11x7 baking dish with the dough going 1/2 inch up the sides (lined with parchment) and cool for 20 minutes.
Bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees, covered with foil
Remove foil, lower temp to 350 and bake for another 5 minutes
(you may use pie weights if you want, but I'm just not that fancy)

Filling:

3-4 big Granny Smith Apples

2  tbsp. butter

2 tbsp sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

2 tbsp. water

 

Peel apples and slice thinly, mix all ingredients into a medium size saucepan and cook over low heat (covered) for about 13-15 minutes or until apples are soft.  Then remove the lid and let all the liquid thicken (it'll get good and carmelly!)

 

Topping

1/2 cup all purpose flour

2 tbsp. brown sugar

1/2 cup quick cook oats

4 tbsp. cold diced butter

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Mix all ingredients in a stand mixer to blend (I use the dirty bowl, it's all good!)

Set aside for later.

 

Caramel:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 tbls. butter

1/2 tsp. vanilla

 

Mix all ingredients and cook over medium heat.  Whisk for 5-7 minutes while the caramel boils, it will thicken.   (You may use store bought caramel; 1/2 cup; but it's so easy to make and amazing!)

 

When the dough comes out of the oven allow the dough and the apples to cool completely before pouring the apples onto the dough.    Pour your lovely caramel sauce over the apples and pop the whole thing into a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.

 

Remove the baking dish and top with the oat mixture, bake for another 15 minutes.  Allow it to cool before cutting.  I cut mine in "granola bar" size and wrap tightly with saran wrap.  ENJOY!