Apple Cinnamon Bars

I had a drawer overflowing with fresh delicious apples, but unfortunately we were never going to eat all of them in time. I wanted to make a special treat for the teens to enjoy, but I was looking for a new way to use my apples. I've made plenty of apple pies (always a hit!) and a few varieties of apple cinnamon bread, but I wanted a bar cookie of some sort. I used a Betty Crocker recipe as a springboard to create my own version, and I love how they turned out!

The base crust is perfectly crunchy and infused with the cinnamon flavor I love, the apples are sweetened and spiced and topped with the remaining oat mixture to form a streusel topping. Yum!!

Apple Cinnamon Bars

recipe by adorkablerecipes.blogspot.com

Makes 24 bars 

Ingredients

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/4 cup shortening

1-3/4 cup flour

1-1/2 cup quick cooking oats

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

4-1/2 cups peeled, chopped baking apples (4 medium, I used Golden Delicious)

3 Tbsp flour

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cream brown sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl. Stir in flour, oats, salt, baking soda, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Reserve 2 cups oat mixture; press remaining oat mixture in ungreased 13x9 inch pan.

Toss apples with 3 Tbsp flour and 1 tsp cinnamon; spread over mixture in pan. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture; press lightly.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender. For 36 bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows while warm. Store covered in refrigerator.

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