I recently discovered that The Professor prefers pie to any other dessert. I guess that even 5 years in you can learn something new about your partner - Ha! At first, I mourned a bit, but then I got energized thinking of all the different pies I could make. He is a great twist on a classic.
Apple Streusel Bars
Prep Time: 40 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Servings: 8-10 Slices
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
1 cup of Softened Unsalted Butter
2 cups of Flour
½ tsp of Salt
½ cup Sugar
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
Apple Filling
6 Cups of Granny Smith Apples (peeled and thinly sliced)
Zest of 1 Lemon
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Vanilla
1 1 /2 Cup Granulated Sugar
4 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (Cut into small cubes)
2 TBSP All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
Crumble Topping
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 Cup Rolled Oats
1 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar (Packed)
1 Cup Unsalted Butter
2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
1/2 Cup Toasted Walnuts or Pecans (optional)
Directions
1. In the bowl of a mixer, combine the butter, flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
2. Mix, with a paddle attachment, until the dough goes from pebble-like to a soft dough.
3. Press the Cookie Dough evenly into the base of an ungreased 9x13 pan, prick all over with a fork and place in the freezer for 30 min.
8. Let the cookies cool for at least a few minutes before moving them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
6. Meanwhile, peel and cut the apples into thin slices, and place them in a large mixing bowl.
7. Add the sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and lemon zest.
8. When ready to mix the apples together add the lemon juice and mix with your hands until all of the apples are covered with the mixture, and set aside.
9. Preheat the oven at 375 degrees, and place the shortbread in the oven for 10 minutes.
10. Meanwhile, pour the nuts into a small saute pan and toast over medium heat until the nuts become fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
11, Pour the flour, oats, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and butter, into a medium sized bowl.
12. Mix together the ingredients using your fingers until the butter softens and has a large pebble-like texture, and set aside.
13. Take the shortbread out of the oven and begin to fill the shell with apples. I piled mine on top of each other like little towers of apples.
14. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter evenly throughout the apples.
15. Sprinkle the crumble on top of the apples evenly and cover with aluminum foil.
16. Place the bars in the oven and bake for 20 min, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the crumble is lightly browned and bubbling.
17. Let the bars cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
18. Enjoy!
22. ENJOY!
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