User Reviews

jberg3

I took this recipe for a charity bakesale at work.  I have had 10 requests for the recipe.  I used all organic ingredients and found the bars wonderful.  I even got a phone call at home from my friend's husbad to tell me how he loved the bars.

mcooke

I was surprised by the review below.  Others must have agreed for an average star rating of "one star". However, they have worked for me twice.  I am an experienced baker but didn't do anything tricky.  Like apple pie, it probably depends on the quality of the apples.

elizabeth.nachman

These were pretty bad.  I've been baking since I was a kid--30 years ago, and I have a wonderful Dacor oven.  These were dry and yucky, and I followed the recipe to the letter.  Totally not worth the effort AND the amount of butter.

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directions

1. Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 375°. Line a 15-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet or jelly roll pan with parchment paper. In a standing electric mixer fitted with a paddle, beat the butter with the sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. At low speed, beat in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms. Press the dough over the bottom of the prepared pan and 1/2 inch up the side in an even layer. Bake in the center of the oven for about 20 minutes, until the crust is golden and set. Let cool on a rack.
2. meanwhile, make the filling: In each of 2 large skillets, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter with 1/4 cup of the light brown sugar. Add the apples to the skillets and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir half of the cinnamon and nutmeg into each skillet. Cook until the apples are caramelized and very tender and the liquid is evaporated, about 10 minutes longer; scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the skillets and add up to 1/2 cup of water to each pan to prevent scorching. Let cool.
3. make the topping: Spread the walnuts in a pie plate and toast until golden and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop the walnuts. In a large bowl, mix the oats with the flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the walnuts and press the mixture into clumps.
4. Spread the apple filling over the crust. Scatter the crumbs on top, pressing them lightly into an even layer. Bake in the center of the oven for 1 hour, until the topping is golden; rotate the pan halfway through baking. Let cool completely on a rack before cutting into 2-inch bars.