Apple squares

Portions:

16 portions

Preparation:

40 min

Cooking:

35-40 min

5-6 Québec apples (Honeycrisp or Cortland), peeled, trimmed and cut into small cubes
60 ml (4 tablespoons) golden brown sugar
Juice of 1/2 lemon
160 ml (2/3 cup) soft butter
250 ml (1 cup) golden brown sugar, well compacted
5 ml (1 teaspoon) vanilla extract
310 ml (1 1/4 cups) unbleached flour
310 ml (1 1/4 cups) quick-cooking rolled oats
2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon) sodium bicarbonate
1-2.5 ml (1/4-1/2 teaspoon) salt
Mix ground nutmeg and cinnamon with a little granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the first three ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil over medium heat. Stir and cook for 5-7 minutes, just enough to soften the apples but not to the consistency of compote.
Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter with brown sugar and vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients, previously mixed together. Mix until a well-integrated, sandy mixture is obtained.
Spread half the dough in a well-buttered 20 cm (8") square baking tin, pressing it down lightly with the back of a fork Pour the apple mixture over the dough, then spread well. Sprinkle with sweet spices and sugar, then cover with remaining dough, spreading evenly. Press together lightly with the back of a fork, then bake the squares for 30 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and wait 30 minutes before cutting the apple squares into 16 5-cm (2-inch) pieces. Serve immediately or cover and set aside at room temperature.

This easy-to-make recipe is made from homemade applesauce, which you can also use as a topping on vanilla ice cream. So why not double the recipe!