Hefty Apple Oat Bars
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert; Square
Prep: 
Cook: 
Total time: 
Serves: 20
 
The ratio of crumble to fruit is extreme in these squares...designed for people like me, who are really here for the crumble.
Ingredients
  • 2½ cups whole wheat OR all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 cups butter, softened
  • 2 cups lightly packed brown sugar
  • 3 cups quick cooking oats
  • 4 cups pie filling
  • ¾ cup toffee pieces, such as Skor bits, divided
  • ¾ cup peanut butter chips, divided
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13" or 10x15" baking dish.
  2. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter with pastry blender, or your hands, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Add brown sugar and oats and mix well with your fingers.
  4. Spread ½ of the mixture in the bottom of the prepared pan, pressing down evenly. Top with ½ cup each of toffee pieces and peanut butter chips.
  5. Cover evenly with pie filling.
  6. Mix remaining ¼ cup each of toffee pieces and peanut butter chips into remaining crumb mixture, and spread over top of the pie filling. Pat to smooth.
  7. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until lightly browned and fragrant.
  8. Cut into squares while still warm.
Notes
Any pie filling will work equally well in this recipe - cherry pie filling is another favorite of ours. If using cherries, replace the peanut butter chips with dark chocolate chunks or chocolate chips and omit the toffee pieces.
Recipe by Hidden Ponies at https://hiddenponies.com/2012/03/saturday-sweets-apple-oat-bars/