Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups superfine almond meal
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 6 cups diced apples (skin on or peeled)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup rolled oats
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature and sliced)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. 2

   Place all of the crust ingredients into a large bowl. Use a spatula (or your hands) and stir together until a crumbly mixture forms that can hold its form.

3. 3

   Transfer the crust mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to flatten the crust mixture evenly into the pan. The more tightly packed the mixture, the better.

4. 4

   Bake until golden brown, about 15-17 minutes. Keep the oven on while you make the filling.

5. 5

   While the crust is baking, make the apple filling. Begin by cooking down the apples. Placing all of the filling ingredients into a medium-size pot set over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil.

6. 6

   Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer until the filling has reduced and thickened, about 7-9 minutes.* Stir every so often.

7. 7

   Remove the pot from the heat. Use a fork to mash the apples so that the filling is a combination of apple mash and apple chunks.

8. 8

   Pour the apple filling over the baked crust. Use a spatula to evenly spread it out. Set aside.

9. 9

   Place all of the ingredients for the crumble topping into a medium bowl. Use a fork (or pastry blender) to cut in the ingredients until a crumble forms.

10. 10

    Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping on top of the apple filling.

11. 11

    Bake until the crumble topping is golden brown, about 26-28 minutes.

12. 12

    Remove from the oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes. Transfer the bars to the refrigerator and chill for at least an hour before slicing and serving.