Apple Streusel Bars

This is the Second dessert that I Made for the Teachers dinner.
They are very similar to my recipe for Pie Bars found here.
The apple filling is so good and the Almond extract in the icing makes it even better.
I received such nice complements from all the teachers. They really enjoyed these bars and the other food that I prepared and brought to the school.
You can easily double this recipe, and make it in a cookie sheet pan.


Apple Streusel Bars
adapted from Our Best Bites

STEP 1
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

To prepare crust, mix flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two forks until you have pea-sized crumbles.
Gently 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 and set aside.

STEP 2
APPLE FILLING:
1/2 c. white sugar
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 c. (about 3 medium) sliced, peeled baking apples ( Granny Smith or Gala)
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 3
GLAZE:
2 c. powdered sugar
About 3 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. almond extract

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 just use a fork(Drizzle glaze over cooled pastry and allow to harden (you can place it in the refrigerator to hurry things along). Cut into bars and serve.

Enjoy!