Apple Pie Bars

Steps

1. 1Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. 2Line a 8x8 inch baking dish with tin foil, leaving an overhang on all sides and lightly grease the foil. Set aside.
3. 3In a food processor or stand mixer, combine the flour, sugar and salt for the crust. With the mixer running, add the butter, one piece at a time.
4. 4Process for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture resembles damp sand.
5. 5Remove 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of this mixture and set aside in a medium bowl for the topping.
6. 6Press the remaining crumb mixture into the prepared pan, packing it down as tightly and evenly as possible.
7. 7Bake for 14-16 minutes or until just beginning to brown on the edges.
8. 8While the crust is baking, prepare the topping and the filling.
9. 9For the topping, add the brown sugar, rolled oats, cinnamon and pecans to the reserved crumbs and stir to combine.
10. 10Add the butter and use your hands to rub the butter into the crumb mixture, squeezing handfuls of the crumbs together so that it clumps into hazelnut sized lumps. Set aside.
11. 11For the filling, toss together the apples, brown sugar, flour, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until combined.
12. 12Spread the filling on top of the hot crust.
13. 13Spread the topping evenly across the filling.
14. 14Bake the bars for 25-30 minutes, until the topping is golden brown.
15. 15Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan (1-2 hours) before lifting the bars out by the foil overhang and slicing into bars.
16. 16The bars are best the first day, after that the shortbread crust and the crumble topping starts to soften. If you are keeping them for a few days, don't put them in a completely airtight container. You can re-crisp the topping by placing them in the oven at 350F for 10 minutes or so.