Mama’s Recipe Box: Apple Crumble Bars

Our family went apple picking last week.  So with mounds of apples in my kitchen, I am eager to create new apple recipes.  One recipe that my boys and I tried out this weekend was these apple bars.  They are quick, easy and oh so yummy.

Ingredients:

• 3  large apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1/2 in chunks
• 2 Tbl.  lemon juice
• 2 Tbl.  granulated sugar
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup  firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp.  baking powder
• 1 cup  (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1-1/2  cups quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup   flake coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl coat the apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar and cinnamon.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour.  (you may want to do this prep ahead of time if cooking with kids.  Instant gratification and 1 hour of refrigeration don’t mix.  If you decide to include kids in this step it is fun for them to toss the apples.)
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray.  Mix flour, brown sugar and baking powder in large bowl.  Cut in butter with pastry blender or pinch together until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Add oats, coconut and pecans; mix well. (This was the fun part for my boys.  I had them wash up of course, and then they pinched the butter and dry ingredients together until it was well combined.)
3. Press half of the crumb mixture firmly onto bottom of greased 13×9-inch baking pan.  Cover with apples, do not pour in juice from the bottom of the bowl.  Spread remaining crumb mixture over the apples.
4. Bake 20 to 25 mins or until lightly browned.  Cool completely on wire rack.  Lift bars from pan with foil and cut into squares.

(Image courtesy of Annie’s Eats.com)