Apple Pie Bars

• cold butter250 г g

  cut into cubes

• all‑purpose flour↗350 г g
• soft light brown sugar↗150 г g

  plus 3 tbsp

• vanilla extract↗1 ст. л. tbsp
• medium Bramley apples4

  (about 900 g), peeled, cored and cut into large pieces

• ground cinnamon↗1¼ ч. л. tsp

  (optional)

• lemon↗½ шт.

  juiced

• powdered sugar↗75 г g

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 180 °C (160 °C for convection) or gas mark 4. Line an 18 × 28 cm pan with parchment paper. In a food processor beat the cold butter, flour, 150 g brown sugar, vanilla extract and 1 tsp salt until smooth. Set aside two‑thirds of the dough in the pan in an even layer and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden. Cool the remaining dough while you prepare the apples.

2. 2

   Transfer the apples to a saucepan, add 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional) and the juice of half a lemon. Simmer over medium heat for 15–20 minutes until the apples are soft but not falling apart.

3. 3

   Spread the cooked apple mixture over the baked dough layer, then evenly distribute the remaining dough on top, spreading it with a spoon. Bake another 15–20 minutes until the top is browned. Remove the pan from the oven and let the dessert cool.

4. 4

   Mix powdered sugar, the remaining ¼ tsp cinnamon and about 2 tsp water until you obtain a thick glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the finished bars, then cut them into 12–16 squares. Store in an airtight container for up to three days.