Apple Pie Bars

There will be no arguments about crust with these sweet treats. These are sure to be a Thanksgiving favorite.

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CRUST

• Cooking spray1 c. 
• (2 sticks) butter, softened1/2 c. 
• granulated sugar1/4 c. 
• packed brown sugar 2 1/2 c. 
• all-purpose flour1/2 tsp. 
• kosher salt

FOR THE FILLING

• 6 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 
• Juice of 1/2 lemon1/2 c. 
• packed brown sugar 1 tsp. 
• ground cinnamon1 tsp. 
• pure vanilla extract1/2 tsp. 
• kosher salt

FOR THE TOPPING

• 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour1 c. 
• chopped pecans1 c. 
• packed brown sugar 1/2 tsp. 
• kosher salt3/4 c. 
• (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted
• Caramel, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350° and line a 9”-x-13” pan with parchment then grease with cooking spray. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add flour and salt and mix until just combined. 
2. Press into prepared pan about 1/2” up sides. Bake until lightly golden, 20 minutes. 
3. In a large bowl, toss apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt together. Spread apples over crust. 
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pecans, brown sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter until coarse clumps form.
5. Sprinkle crumb topping over apples and bake until top is golden and apples are soft, about 1 hour. 
6. Let cool at least 15 minutes then slice into squares and drizzle with caramel before serving.

Source: www.delish.com