Apple Streusel Bars

Happy Wednesday you all!! Boy, do I have a delicious dessert recipe for you today! Apple Streusel bars-These Apple Streusel Bars are like Apple pie but even better and believe me, I am an expert when it comes to Apple Pie. No Joke. In fact, the reason I dub myself an expert in the Apple Pie arena, is because it happens to be my Husbands dessert of choice, so I have made a lot and I mean a lot of apple desserts during our 8 years of marriage! Don't get me wrong, he loves all the desserts I whip up around here but Apple pie is hands down the one dessert that he requests the most!

I love this recipe because it is easy to make and doesn't require the time that it may take to make the Home-made-from-scratch- kind of Apple Pie. 

These streusel bars are great for a sweet Breakfast, afternoon or late night snack, or even a dessert! 

With Mother's day and Cinco De Mayo just around the corner I am pretty sure  their isn't a mom out there or Cinco De Mayo Party goer who would pass up these scrumdiddilyumptious bars!

Best served with a cold glass of milk-Enjoy!

Apple Streusel Bars

recipe adapted from ourbestbites.com

Sweet Pastry:

2 c. Flour

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. real butter, softened (no substitutions)

1 egg, beaten

Apple Filling:

1/2 c. white sugar

1/4 c. flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

4 c. Granny smith apples, about 3 medium, peeled and sliced 

Glaze:

2 c. powdered sugar

About 3 Tbsp. Milk

1 tsp. Almond Extract

Directions: 

Step One:To prepare crust, mix flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until you have pea-sized crumbles. Gentle mix in beaten egg. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Gently pat about 2/3 of the crumb mixture onto the bottom of the dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and set aside.

Step Two: To prepare apple filling, combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon and toss with apples.

Spread apples out on prepared crust. Sprinkle reserved crust mixture over apples evenly and bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.When finished, allow to cool completely.

Step Three: To prepare glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, almond extract and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Place glaze in a Ziploc bag and cut off a very small portion of one of the corners or use a fork and drizzle glaze over cooled pastry and allow to harden. You can place the streusel in the freezer until it sets up. Cut into bars, serve and enjoy!

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen