Apple Oatmeal Bars.

Since I know everyone has a surplus of apples this time of year, I thought it would be a good time to share one of my favourite apple-containing recipes. :)

I make this recipe for apple oatmeal bars quite often, since Chris likes to take them in his lunch, and because they're easy and economical. The original recipe (which I have altered a wee bit) came from a neat book I have called Stories and Recipes of the Great Depression of the 1930s. This book is out of print now, but if you can find a used copy it's a nice to have. Compiled by an eldery lady in Wisconsin in the 1980s, the old-time inexpensive recipes are interspersed with the stories that folks shared with her about how they coped in the 1930s.

These squares taste a bit like apple pie, because there isn't any sugar in the crust. They're crumbly, so you need to eat them with a fork.

Apple Oatmeal Bars

Mix in a bowl:
1 cup oats (quick or old fashioned will work)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter + 2 tbsp, melted
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Pat half of this into an 8 X 10 or an 8 X 8 pan. If it seems too dry, add a bit more butter.

Mix in a bowl:
2 1/2 cups finely chopped or grated apples
1/2 cup sugar (I use brown sugar)

Spread this mixture over the bottom crust. Top with remaining oatmeal mixture and pat down gently. Bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

If anyone else has a favourite apple recipe they would like to share, please leave a comment with a link! :)

Comments

[Lindsay]

Oh, that looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe - I know what I'll be making for dessert tonight! And you've given me yet another good book to add to my list :)

[Citysister]

That sounds delicious! We just got a big bag of pears from a friend so maybe we will make it with pears.

[Stephanie]

This sounds so good and so so yummy. I have some apples on the counter that were going to be made in to apple sauce but I have yet to get around to it. This is so happening in my kitchen. Thanks!

Stephanie
www.simplicitymom.blogspot.com

[Teresa]

YUM! I just got a bag of apples from one of our parishoners...

[Plain and Joyful Living]

We make a similar recipe here and it is gone so fast:)

[Stephanie]

Me again. I just made these. I didn't have a small enough pan so my daughter and I put it in a pie plate. Delicious. It's like apple pie with no rolling out a crust. It's perfect! And love how little sugar there is in it. Yum, yum, yum. Thanks again!

Stephanie :)
www.simplicitymom.blogspot.com

[Laura Jeanne]

I'm glad you liked the recipe, Stephanie--thanks for letting me know! :)

[Laurie Anne]

Hi! I just wanted to stop in and say 'thank you' for posting this recipe...it's fabulous! We just ate ours warm from the oven 'a la mode' :)

[the Inadvertent Farmer]

Thanks...I'm going to give these a try for breakfast. Pretty sure my family will love it! Kim