Apple Bars {Guest Post}
I had no idea how torturous it would be to take on the task of hosting a month long apple event. Looking at recipes day in and day out that I didn’t get to try? Sure, I see recipes everyday in my reader and pop around to various other blogs on a daily basis but this is somehow different. Apple recipes showing up ready to be served to you. I should’ve requested samples be sent for me to enjoy while Prepping each post! Today Erin of Dinners Dishes and Desserts is tempting us with a fun dessert bar. It’s bar meets pie with a sweet glaze.
Hey everyone! I am Erin, and I write over at Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts. I am so excited to be here today, and share in the Apple a Day party! You have no idea how quickly I responded when Rachel asked if I wanted to take part. This was months ago, and I immediately knew exactly what I was going to make.
I grew up with these bars. In the fall they were always at my Grandma’s house. They had lots of apple trees in their yard, and always had bushels of apples to bake with. I remember apple sauce and these bars being a constant when we would visit. The day I made these I called my mom with a question about the recipe, and she was jealous and immediately craving them. She called today to say she is making some :) I also talked to my brother that day, and told him I made them. Brought him right back to being kids, to bad he was 800 miles away :(
The crust for these bars is kind of a cross between a pie crust and a sugar cookie. It is flaky, not to sweet, and holds up great with the baked apples. The recipe calls for crushed corn flakes to be sprinkled over the bottom of the crust. It does not have to be corn flakes (I used Special K), but it is necessary. It helps to soak up the juice from the apples, so the crust isn’t soggy. Also, I know I am going to get comments about the shortening in the recipe. I am sure butter would work – but my grandma used shortening, it works, it is what I use! So use it! Or not, whatever. But you should really make these bars!
Apple Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 1/2 C all purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 C shortening
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2/3 C milk
- 1 - 1 1/2 C corn flakes, crushed
Filling
- 4-5 C apples, peeled and sliced
- 1 C granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Icing
- 1 1/2 C powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 3 Tbsp milk, approx
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F°. Grease a 12x17 jelly roll pan.
- In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients for the crust. Using a pastry cutter or a fork work everything together (like you would a pie crust). Once everything is combined divide the dough in half. Using your fingers press 1/2 of the dough into the prepared pan. It will be thin, that is ok. Sprinkle the corn flakes evenly over the crust.
- In a separate bowl toss the apples, sugar and cinnamon together. Once well coated, spread the apples evenly over the crust. Cover with the remaining crust. It can be a little sticky, so I roll out small portions and place it on top. Kind of like patchwork :)
- Bake for 10 minutes a 400F°. Turn down the oven to 350F° and bake for 40 more minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Once cool you can frost, if using (which you really should).
Icing
- Mix everything together, and adjust the amount of milk to get a thin and almost drizzle-able frosting.
You can find Erin on Facebook and Twitter.
Check out some more recipes from Erin: Brownie batter pancakes, Cookie butter swirl white chocolate chip brownies and Coca-Cola BBQ chicken.
Optional powdered sugar frosting? Optional and frosting are 2 words that need to stay far away from each other!
This sounds so good! It also looks a little like a poptart :)
Erin never disappoints! I think we need a real live apple party:-)
I wish I grew up eating this awesome apple bar but my grandmother didn’t know how to cook, LOL! At least I can try to make it myself. :)
YUM! These look awesome and are the perfect way to kickstart my fall baking binge :)
It’s like a more awesome version of apple pie, yum! I love the icing on top. Sample sound awesome, we should have our next apple party in person :)
So pretty! This filling looks divine!
Thanks for asking me to participate with the Apple Party – so glad I got to share this recipe with you!
I love that you made one of your grandma’s recipes! The cornflakes tip is a good one. I would have never thought of that!
I’m sold!! I think I love everything about this!!
They look and sound delicious, and definitely like something I could expect to find in my kitchen! I think I need these in my life. :)