Ingredients
Method
Preparation
- Start by washing your hands with soap and water to ensure a clean cooking environment.
- Make sure you have all the ingredients measured out and tools ready for your baking adventure.
- Rinse or scrub the fresh apples under running water before cutting them.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Mixing
- In a large mixing bowl, combine both types of flour, salt, and baking soda.
- Stir in the brown sugar, oats, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and optional ground cloves until evenly mixed.
- Add the softened margarine or butter, cutting it into the mixture with two knives until the blend resembles coarse crumbs.
Assembly
- Pour half of this crumbly mixture into the bottom of the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Layer the sliced apples and raisins on top, sprinkling with a bit of sugar for extra sweetness.
- Evenly sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the apple layer.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
- Once baked, let the bars cool in the dish before slicing them into 12 squares.
Notes
For a delightful twist, consider adding chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans to the mixture for extra crunch. If you prefer a sweeter bar, you might increase the amount of brown sugar slightly. You can also substitute half of the apples with another fruit, like pears, for a unique flavor profile. Store the cooled apple bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze; they can be reheated in the microwave or enjoyed straight from the freezer.