Apple Pie Bars

We are a bulk buying family, especially when it is seasonal. Now it is apple season! When I asked hubs what he would like me to bake with the many pounds of apples we just purchased, he said in excitement, “Apple Pie! ” I have a wonderful recipe that I have been wanting to bake from Taste of Home, this is a double pie recipe, that can be cut into bars. Flaky, buttery, crumbly apple pie, but baked in a rectangular dish. It’s perfect warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzled with a caramel sauce.

Apple Pie Bars

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/4 cups cold butter, divided
5 to 6 cups thinly sliced peeled Apples
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup cold water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
I added 2 teaspoons of cinnamon

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda; cut in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 2 cups for topping. Press remaining crumbs into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Arrange apples on top, sprinkle cinnamon over apples; set aside.
In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, water, vanilla and remaining butter. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thick and bubbly; spread over apples. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs.
Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until top is lightly browned. Yield: 3-4 dozen.