Double The Streusel Apple Butter Bars

It's finally starting to feel like fall in the central California valley.  The temps have dropped, summer annuals are being replaced with fall/winter plantings, the leaves are slowly turning colors.  We even got a little rain, which did so much to clear the air from the effects of the summer forest fires and recent almond harvest. I've been lazy (I justify that by saying I've been busy) and not started any fall decorating, or even bought a single pumpkin, but my baking has definitely taken on an autumn twist!

I love apple butter, each year I make 2 or 3 batches of crockpot apple butter.  It's easy to make and the house smells wonderful while it's cooking. I saw this bar recipe on the Half Baked Harvest Instagram page and quickly bumped it to the top of my "things to bake" list. Not only do they contain apple butter and apple slices, but also all the familiar fall spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg. I'm a sucker for anything with streusel in it.  The streusel mix serves two purposes in this recipe, pressed down into the pan and baked, it becomes a soft buttery crust with the remaining becoming the glorious crumbly topping that I love. This is a great fall treat, perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.

Double the Streusel Apple Butter Bars

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashion oats
1/2 cup pecans
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 sticks ( 1 cup) cold salted butter, cubed

Filling:
1 cup apple butter, homemade or store bought
2 honey crisp apples, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line a 9x13-baking dish with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray.

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the flour, oats, pecans, brown sugar, baking powder and cinnamon, until the oats are mostly ground. Add the cold butter, pulse until a crumbly dough forms.

Press 1/3 of the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Transfer to the oven and bake 10 minutes or until lightly golden.

Meanwhile, make the filling.  In a medium bowl, toss the sliced apples with the male syrup, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Spread the apple butter evenly over the pre-baked crust.  Arrange the apples in an even layer over the apple butter. Sprinkle the remaining 2/3 streusel dough over top of the apples.  Return to the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the crumble is a light golden brown.

Let cool completely before cutting into bars.