Apple Streusel Bars

*Recipe by Our Best Bites

I have a confession to make. I'm almost afraid to admit it because it might just sound un-American. Well, here goes, I really don't like apple pie!!!! I know, how can someone not like one of America's most classic desserts and still love the red, white, and blue? I thought it had to do with the texture of the baked apples until I tried this recipe for Apple Streusel Bars.... A-MAZ-ING!!! Our Best Bites has done it again! I may not be the genius behind this recipe, but I am smart enough to know it is worth passing on! We're talking the kind of good that I not only eat one, or two, or may be even three... I eat enough of them to figure out I that I have no self-control and have to pack them up and unload on some poor unsuspecting soul (better on their hips then mine!) I feel so relieved now that that is off of my chest... I feel all-American now that I can say I adore Apple Streusel and I have this fabulous recipe (that I make a little more than I should) to share with you. And just in the nick of time for flag day!

Apple Streusel Bars
* Recipe by Our Best Bites

Sweet Pastry:

2 c. flour

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. real butter, softened (no substitutions!)

1 egg, beaten

Apple Filling:

1/2 c. white sugar

1/4 c. flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

4 c. (about 3 medium) sliced, peeled baking apples (I've used Granny Smith in the past, although this time around I used Gala and they were fabulous)

Glaze:

2 c. powdered sugar

About 3 Tbsp. milk (whole milk is best)

1 tsp. almond extract


Method:

To prepare crust, mix flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. 

Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until you have pea-sized crumbles. Gently mix in beaten egg.

Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Gently pat about 2/3 of the crumb mixture onto the bottom of the dish. Preheat oven to 350 and set aside.

To prepare apple filling, combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon and toss with apples.

Spread apples out on prepared crust. Sprinkle reserved crust mixture over apples evenly and bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.

When finished, allow to cool completely.

To prepare glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, almond extract, and enough milk to achieve desired consistency.

Place glaze in a Ziploc bag and cut off a very small portion of one of the corners. (Or just use a fork). Drizzle glaze over cooled pastry and allow to harden (you can place it in the freezer to hurry things along). Cut into bars and serve.

Enjoy! Have a good 4th of July everyone!

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