Virginia’s Apple Bars

Original Recipe from:  Virginia Bowers-Johnson

Apples are my favorite fruit, and apple season is my favorite harvest.  I love trying new apple recipes as I have yet to find one that I didn’t like.  This is a great recipe from my mother’s collection.  It is easy to make, and low in fat and sugar….so that makes it a guilt-free dessert.  What could be better?  Make up a batch of these apple bars for your friends and family, I’m sure they will like them.  Check out the variations at the bottom of the recipe.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

6 medium Apples, diced or chopped (I use slices)

2-1/4 cup Flour, divided

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

3/4 cup Margarine

1/2 cups Quick Oats

1/2 Sugar

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1 cup Water

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine 2 cups Flour, Brown Sugar, Margarine, and Oats.  Mix with a pastry cutter or potato masher.  Reserve 1 cup of this mixture and set aside.  Press the remaining mixture in a 9”x13” baking pan (spray pan with cooking spray).  Spread Apples over the crust.

In a medium saucepan combine Sugar, Water, Cinnamon, and 1/4 cup Flour.  Cook until thick.  Pour over apples.  Top with reserved Oat Mixture.

Bake 45 minutes.  Makes 24 bars.

Variations: 

1)      Spread softened Cream Cheese (8 ounces) on top of the crust; then spread the apples on top of the cream cheese. 

2)      Add 1 cup of chopped walnuts to the Oatmeal Mixture.