Apple Crunch Bars Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, salt and baking soda.
• In a large mixing bowl, blend together butter, shortening and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add dry mixture and blend to form a crumbly mixture.
• Measure and set aside 2 cups crumbs. Press remaining crumbs into a 9x13 inch pan. Spread apples into an even layer over crust.
• Transfer Marzetti Old Fashioned Caramel Dip to a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 to 40 seconds or until warm. Stir until smooth. Pour over apples and sprinkle remaining crumbs over all.
• Bake on middle rack of oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and apples are tender. Cut into desired size bars while slightly warm and serve.
• Store remaining bars covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer.
• Reserve 2 cups flour mixture, and set aside.
• Add baking soda and next 3 ingredients to remaining flour mixture; beat well.
• Add vanilla and next 2 ingredients; beat well.
• Stir in apple.
• Press reserved 2 cups flour mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray.
• Sprinkle walnuts over flour mixture.
• Spread apple mixture over prepared crust.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until browned.
• Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
• Yield: 24 servings (serving size: 1[2-1/4 x 2-1/8-inch] bar).
• NOTES: Ann Lapinski, of Schenectady, New York, lightened her mother's crunchy dessert recipe and served it to her family.
• They didn't notice any difference.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda; cut in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 2 cups for topping. Press remaining crumbs into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Arrange apples over top; set aside. , In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, water, vanilla and remaining butter. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thick and bubbly; spread over apples. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. , Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until top is lightly browned.

Steps:

• Place 1/2 cup butter in a medium, light-colored saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, swirling often, until butter is browned and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Pour into a large mixing bowl and set brown butter aside.
• Combine apples, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and pinch of salt in the same saucepan. Place the pan back over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened, about 10 minutes.
• Mix water and cornstarch together in a small bowl or measuring cup. Pour mixture into the saucepan and stir to combine. Cook until mixture thickens slightly, 1 to 2 more minutes. Remove pan from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with enough parchment paper to have overhang on all sides.
• Add oats, flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, vanilla, baking soda, nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the brown butter and mix until well combined. Measure out 1 cup of this mixture and set aside for topping.
• Pour remaining oat mixture into the prepared pan; firmly press into an even layer. Pour apples and sauce over the crust and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown and crisp, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely, about 30 minutes, before slicing into 16 bars.