Store your dessert bars the way you'd store cookies. These apple crumb bars keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/4 cups cold butter, divided
5 to 6 cups thinly sliced peeled apples
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup cold water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
vanilla ice cream, optional
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda; cut in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 2 cups for topping. Press remaining oat mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Arrange apples over the top.
In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, water, vanilla and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes; pour over apples. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture.
Bake until top is lightly browned, 35-45 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack. If desired, serve with ice cream.