Pre-heat oven to 375°F degrees and line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper.
Prepare crust; in the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and slowly add flour and salt just until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Press dough onto bottom of prepared baking pan so that bottom is completely covered. Bake for 20 minutes or until crust is lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside until filling and topping are ready to use.
While crust is baking, prepare apple pie filling; Melt butter with brown sugar in skillet(s) over low-medium heat (see note). Add apples and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened (about 10 minutes). Stir cinnamon and nutmeg into apple mixture and continue to cook until the apples are caramelized and liquid has evaporated, about 10 more minutes; if apples begin to stick to skillet(s) during this time, add a little bit of water to prevent burning.
Set filling aside to cool and prepare topping.
To make crumb topping, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
Use two knives to cut the cold butter into oatmeal mixture; you can then use your hands to combine the mixture until the topping is in clumps about the size of a pea.
Place apple filling over crust and then press crumb topping down lightly over apple layer so that it is completely covered.
Bake for about 30 minutes in center of oven or until topping is lightly browned and set.
Store bars at room temperature up to three days.
Notes
I recommend using a very large skillet or dividing the apple pie filling ingredients into two medium-sized skillets for ease of working.
These bars can be made up to one month in advance. When bars are baked and cooled, wrap tightly in foil and store in freezer until day of serving.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most accurate data, use your preferred nutrition calculator with the actual ingredients you used to make this recipe.
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Snap a picture and tag @bakedbyrachel on Instagram!