Apple Pie Bars

Fall time means apple picking time around here.   A tasty way to use up some of those apples.

APPLE PIE BARS

(serves 12)

Crust Ingredients:

*4 sticks of butter (2 cups), softened

*3/4 cup granulated sugar

*3/4 cup light brown sugar (don't pack it)

*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*4 cups all-purpose flour

*1 teaspoon salt

Topping Ingredients: 

*1/2 cup pecans or walnuts

*1 teaspoon cinnamon

*Caramel Sauce (I use ice cream topping for this)

Filling Ingredients:

*3 granny smith apples

*3 Jonathan gold or golden delicious apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin

*1 tablespoon lemon juice

*1/4 cup granulated sugar

*1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

*1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*1/4 cup butter, softened

Crust Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.

~In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 sticks (2 cups) butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla for 3 minutes on medium speed, scraping sides of bowl so that everything gets mixed in well.

~In a medium bowl, mix 4 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt tougher.

~Gradually mix into butter mixture, until well combined.

~Remove around 1/3 of dough and set aside.

~Press remains dough into bottom prepared pan and up the sided about 1/2 inch.

~Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is a golden brown.

~Remove from oven and set aside.

Filling directions:

~In a large bowl, mix 3 thinly sliced Granny Smith apples, 3 thinly sliced  golden delicious apples, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg until apples are well coated.

~Melt 1/4 cup butter into a large skillet.

~Add apple mixture, and cook over medium-low heat for 15-17 minutes, or until apples are fork tender (stir often).

~Spread apple mixture over crust, leaving a 1/2 inch border free of filling.

Topping Ingredients:

~Mix remaining crust dough, pecans or walnuts, and cinnamon until well mixed.

~Sprinkle over top of apple filling.

~Bake for  30 minutes, or until topping is starting to brown.

~Cool bar completely.

~Drizzle desired amount of caramel sauce over bars.