Apple Quick Pie Bars

This recipe came by way of Emily Skrobis’ Aunt Sue in West Allis, Wisconsin. They are a marriage of an apple pie with an apple crisp – crust on the bottom with an oat topping - almost like an apple dessert sandwich that is not overly sweet. Drizzle with apple molasses or boiled cider instead of the lemon glaze for a truly seasonal treat.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup and 2 Tbs butter

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 3-4 Tbs milk

  • 4 cups apples, cored and chopped

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

  • spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg) to taste

Lemon Glaze (optional)

  • 1 Tbs butter

  • 2 Tbs lemon juice

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

  2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour and salt. Cut 3/4 cup butter into the flour and salt; mix with your fingers, a pastry knife or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Set aside one cup of the flour/butter mixture.

  3. To the remainder of the flour/butter mixture add the milk gradually while stirring lightly with fork until dough is moist enough to hold together. Form into a square. Flatten slightly; smooth edges. Roll out on floured surface to 13 x 9-inch rectangle. Place in the bottom of ungreased 13 x 9-inch pan.

  4. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and top with apples.

  5. Mix the oats, brown sugar, and 2 Tbs butter with the reserved cup of flour/butter mixture. Sprinkle over the apples.

  6. Return the pan to oven, and bake 30 – 35 minutes or until apples are tender. If desired, combine ingredients for Lemon Glaze and drizzle over the bars while warm. Cool before cutting.