September is one of my favorite months of the year. It usually brings cooler temperatures and less humidity, both of which I appreciate. Some prairie and woodland plants are still flowering, and the trees start to show their Fall color. There are a number of birthday and anniversary celebrations in our extended family during September as well.

In the edibles department, an increasing number of apple varieties are in season this month, also. When our kids were in elementary school, apple picking was the first field trip of the year for the younger grades. It was a field trip I always volunteered to go on with their classes. As they got older, we would go apple picking as a family at this time of year. It is still an activity we all enjoy. And the best part, is all the wonderful things we make with those apples. These bars are the latest addition to my apple dessert collection.

One of the first things I noticed about this recipe when I considered making it was that it did not include cinnamon in the ingredient list. In my experience, that is highly unusual for an apple recipe. I am happy to report that these bars are delicious, and no one missed the cinnamon at all!

Apple Crumb Bars (adapted from tasteofhome.com) Total Time Required: 1 hour + 10 minutes, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Bake Time: 40 – 55 minutes, Makes: 2 dozen bars

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1-1/4 cups cold butter, divided
• 1-1/2 pounds of apples, peeled and thinly sliced to yield 5 to 6 cups
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup cold water
• vanilla ice cream, for serving

Directions:

In the large bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda.

Cut in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Set aside 2 cups of the mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crumbs into a greased 13×9-inch baking pan.

Arrange the sliced apples over the top of the crumb crust.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small saucepan, combine the white sugar with the cornstarch, vanilla, and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the water to the pot.

Whisk the mixture and bring it to a boil. Cook and stir until it has thickened, about 1-2 minutes.

Pour it over apples.

Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture over the top.

Bake the bars until the top is lightly browned, 40 – 55 minutes.

Cool the pan on a wire rack.

Serve the bars with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Apple baking season is finally here!  ~Linda

Apple Crumb Bars (adapted from tasteofhome.com) Total Time Required: 1 hour + 10 minutes, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Bake Time: 40 – 55 minutes, Makes: 2 dozen bars

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1-1/4 cups cold butter, divided
• 1-1/2 pounds of apples, peeled and thinly sliced to yield 5 to 6 cups
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup cold water
• vanilla ice cream, for serving

Directions:

In the large bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda. Cut in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 2 cups of the mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crumbs into a greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Arrange the sliced apples over the top of the crumb crust.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small saucepan, combine the white sugar with the cornstarch, vanilla, and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add the water to the pot. Whisk the mixture and bring it to a boil. Cook and stir until it has thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Pour it over apples. Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture over the top.

Bake the bars until the top is lightly browned, 40 – 55 minutes. Cool the pan on a wire rack. Serve the bars with vanilla ice cream if desired.