Dutch Apple Pie Bars

This dessert contains all the comforts of a warm, cinnamon-spiced slice of apple pie without the hassle of rolling out pastry dough. Plus it's essentially a slice of apple pie that can be eaten by hand. How can you go wrong with these sweet treats?

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• Pastry Crust

• 1 1⁄4 cups flour
• 1⁄3 cup shortening
• 5 -6  tablespoons cold water
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

• Filling

• 4 -5  apples, medium-sized (peeled, cored & sliced)
• 2  tablespoons flour
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice

• Topping

• 3⁄4 cup flour
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄3 cup butter, softened
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut shortening into flour until mixture resembles pea-sized crumbles. Work in cold water until a loose (but not too dry or too moist) pastry dough forms. Into a 10 x 13 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper, press into a 10 x 13 inch baking pan (small cookie sheet).
3. Combine apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice until thoroughly coated. Arrange in a thin, even layer atop pastry dough.
4. Combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter until a crumbly texture forms. Sprinkle atop apples.
5. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until apples are tender, and the crust and topping are lightly browned.