Apple Cinnamon Streusel Bars

I'm sitting outside on the porch with a cup of tea, drinking in the blooming colors of fall, thinking of apples and the possibilities that await me in the kitchen. The new fall apples are in abundance and I've been waiting to make these luscious Apple Cinnamon Streusel Bars.  These bars are loaded with crunchy goodness.  The bottom layer is like a crisp cinnamon butter cookie, topped with a layer of cinnamon spiced apples and sprinkled with a toasted chopped pecan streusel.  I think it's time to come in and do some baking!

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Ingredients

For the Crust... 

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, room temperature (1 stick)

1 cup sugar

1 large egg yolk

For the apple layer...

2 medium baking apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

1 tablespoon all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

For the streusel topping...

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cold butter, cut into 3/4 inch pieces

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans 

Preheat oven to 350°  

Butter a 9X13 baking pan 

1.  To make the crust, sift the flour, cinnamon and salt into a bowl and set aside.  In the bowl of  a mixer, add butter and sugar and blend on medium  speed, for about 1 minute, until well blended.  Add the egg yolk and beat on low speed until yolk is completely incorporated, about 1/2 minute, scraping down the bowl to incorporate.  Add the flour mixture and slowly beat until flour and butter are incorporated.  Pour the crumbs into the prepared pan and press evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the pan, about 1 inch.

 2.  To make the apple filling, in a bowl combine the apple slices, flour and cinnamon.  Mix well.  Place apple slices on top of the pressed crumbs in the baking dish in a single layer.

3.  To make the topping, using the same mixing bowl you used to mix the bottom layer, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.  Beat on low speed to blend.  Add the cold butter bits to the flour and beat until 1/2 inch crumbs form.  Add the chopped pecans and mix to combine.  Sprinkle evenly over the top of the apple slices, right to the edge of the pan.  Bake until the top is lightly browned about 40 minutes.  Cool completely and cut into 12 generous sized pieces or 15 medium sized pieces.  Enjoy!