Apple Bars Recipe Preparation:
First find a 9 by 13 inch square baking pan.
Preheat oven to 390 degrees, (DO IT NOW so your oven will be ready when you are.)
An’ make sure your oven racks are IN THE MIDDLE, (Why? Because Apple bar Cookies aren't too good when they turn out doughy on top, an’ burnt on the bottom, that’s why.)
Apple Bars Recipe Ingredients:
1 -1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 -1/2 cups quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (1/2 pound) firm butter or margarine, cut into pieces
1 jar (16 ounces) apple butter or 1 -1/2 cups of homemade apple butter
Apple Bars Recipe Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, oats, nuts, and brown sugar until blended thoroughly. With a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in the butter until mixture is crumbly and no large pieces remain.
Spread half the oat mixture evenly over bottom of your ungreased 9 by 13 inch baking pan and press down lightly to pack. Spread apple butter evenly over crumb layer, then sprinkle remaining oat mixture over top; press top layer down lightly.
Bake apple bars in a 390 degrees oven for about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely in baking pan on a rack. Cut into bars (about a 2 inch size). Store apple bars covered with plastic wrap or in airtight containers.
One batch of this apple bars recipe, makes about 24 cookie bars.