Apple Pie Bars

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2 lbs. firm golden delicious apples, at room temperature, peeled, cored and chopped (about 6 cups)
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp each ground nutmeg and allspice
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest (1/2 medium lemon)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 13 by 9-inch baking dish (preferably metal pan), line with two sheets of parchment paper leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the baking powder, and salt until combined.
In a small bowl whisk together egg with vanilla extract.
Add butter and egg mixture to flour mixture and cut into mixture with a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs (a food processor would work for this step as well). Transfer to refrigerator.
Peel and cut apples as directed. In a mixing bowl toss together apples with 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
Remove crust mixture from fridge and press half the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
Add apple mixture in an even layer over the top of the crust layer (evenly pouring out accumulated juices from the bowl if there are some).
Crumble remaining crust mixture over the apples, pressing together and breaking it into small crumbles as you sprinkle it over.
Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and apples have softened (you can test with a toothpick), about 40 minutes.
Let cool 1 hour on a wire rack before cutting into squares. Store in the fridge up to 2 days (note that they will soften after the first day but does still taste delicious).

Apple Pie Bars#