Apple Pie Bars

Original Recipe by Ina Garten:

https://joythebaker.com/2016/11/ina-gartens-apple-pie-bars/

Ingredients:

• For the Crust:
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• For the Filling:
  • 2 apples peeled, cored, and sliced into quarter inch thick slices
  • 1 large Fuji apple, peeled, cored, and sliced into quarter inch thick slices
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• For the Glaze:
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • Splash of whole milk
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper. Make sure the paper hangs over two of the edges by a couple of inches. Spray the pan lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
2. For the crust, place butter, sugars, and vanilla in a bowl and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy for about 5 minutes.
3. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after stopping the mixer, then add the flour and salt and mix on low-speed until combined.
4. Put about two-thirds of the dough into clumps in the 8×8 inch pan, flour your fingers, and press the dough into the pan as well as up the sides of the pan about half an inch.
5. Put in refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
6. After done refrigerating, bake for about 18-20 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Set aside to cool.
7. Combine the remaining crust (should be about one-third) with walnuts and cinnamon. Stir until well combined.
8. For the filling, combine both apples and lemon juice in a bowl. Then toss and coat with the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
9. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Next, simmer the seasoned apples over a medium-low heat for about 12 minutes, making sure to stir often. You want to make sure the apples are tender and some liquid has evaporated. Add the cornstarch and toss for about 1 more minute.
10. Spread the apples evenly over the crust, leaving a half-inch border.
11. Take the remaining medium pieces of dough and pinch them with your fingers, dropping them evenly over the top of the apple mixture (note that they will not cover the top completely). Bake for about 30 minutes until the topping is brown. Allow to cool completely after baking!
12. For the glaze, whisk together the browned butter, powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars and then cut into 9 pieces!
13. You can store them wrapped individually or covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy!