From the Kitchen: Apple Pie Bars

I am not a baker.  I like to cook but not measure... so therefore I am not a baker.

Yes, I like cheddar with my apple pie!

But inspired by my recent Julie & Julia viewing and the amazing fall weather we had this weekend, I wanted to bake an apple pie.  So, I looked up some recipes for apple pie, caramel apple pie, apple strudel pie and then found this:  Apple Pie Bars.

I thought, "This is perfect because it is so much more portable than a slice of pie... and given that the two of us probably won't eat a whole pie in one weekend these pieces can be packed in lunches much more easily. Plus I have all the ingredients (except cornflakes) so I won't have to put on socks, shoes, and a sweatshirt to go to the store... I can start now.  Hooray!"

Ready for the PASTRY

1 egg, separated, reserve the egg white

1/2 cup milk

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup cold butter, cut into chunks

Heat oven to 350°F. Beat egg yolk in small bowl. Add 1/2 cup milk; mix well. Set aside.

Combine flour and salt in medium bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in egg yolk mixture with fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half.

... but 30 minutes of mixing butter and flour
then adding the egg yolk mixture,
I finally had a dough ball.

"Cut in butter" sounds so simple...

Roll out half the dough on a floured surface into a 15x10-inch rectangle or blob; place onto ungreased 15x10x1 jelly roll pan. Sprinkle with cornflakes or better yet, walnuts and oatmeal; top with sliced apples.

Did I mention I don't have a rolling pin?
I used a drinking glass. 

Walnuts and oatmeal add a crunchy base.

Ready for the FILLING

1 cup crushed corn flakes  walnuts and oatmeal

8 to 10 medium (8 cups) tart cooking apples, peeled, sliced

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 reserved egg white

2 tablespoons sugar

Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon and nutmeg in small bowl. Sprinkle over apples. Roll remaining half of dough into 15 1/2x10 1/2-inch rectangle; place over apples.
Beat reserved egg white with fork until foamy; brush over top crust. Combine remaining cinnamon and 2 tablespoons sugar in small bowl; sprinkle over crust. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until lightly browned.

Ready for the GLAZE

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Combine powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired glazing consistency.  Drizzle over warm bars. 

Yum!!!

The Land O Lakes website says 5 grams of fat and 140 calories per bar.  Awesome... how big is a bar???