I don’t know about your kids, but mine just never, ever get excited about the sight of an apple in their lunch bags. These squares are a great solution to adding a nutritional punch to the daytime menu, especially for people like my daughter who can’t seem to manage a large breakfast. Packable, portable and oh-so-tasty, they’re nice and filling with just enough sweetness to make little (and big) people forget they are also quite healthy, and made without corn syrup or chemicals like some packaged snack items. If apples aren’t a family favourite, try plums, pears or peaches instead. For longer term storage, either put the whole batch in a container or wrap the squares individually, then freeze. The perfect grab-and-go snack!
Ingredients
Crust
Filling
Directions
Line an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350F.
Prepare crust by combining ingredients in the order listed above, blending together until evenly crumbly.
Divide crust mixture in half; pour one half into the prepared baking pan. With your fingers or a spatula, spread to form an even layer, pressing down firmly.
Bake bottom crust for 12 minutes.
While crust is baking, combine fruit filling ingredients in the order given. Set aside.
After bottom crust has baked, pour apple mixture over top, using a spoon to distribute evenly.
Sprinkle remaining crumble over top of fruit (it's easiest to do this by hand, rather than with a spoon).
Return the pan to the oven and bake 30 - 35 minutes more, until golden brown on top.
Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then lift the bars out using the parchment paper as handles.
Let cool completely on a wire rack, then cut into xx bars.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
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