Apple Harvest Squares

I picked up this recipe in a bonus book from Taste of Home. Maxine Hearney posted the recipe and said it had been in her family for 75 years. It is really delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Yields: 20 bars

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup sugar, divided
• 1⁄2 cup butter, room temperature
• 4  cups apples, peeled, sliced
• 2  tablespoons lemon juice
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1  egg, slightly beaten
• 1⁄3 cup evaporated milk
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3⁄4 cup  nuts, chopped
• 1 1⁄3 cups flaked coconut

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine flour, salt and 1/3 cup sugar.
2. Cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs; press into the bottom of a greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan.
3. Arrange apple slices on top of crumbs; sprinkle with lemon juice.
4. Combine 1/3 cup sugar with cinnamon; sprinkle over apples.
5. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine remaining 1/3 cup sugar with the egg, evaporated milk, vanilla, nuts, and coconut.
7. Spoon mixture over baked apples; bake for another 20 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Cut into squares while warm.