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My brother-in-law is kind of obnoxious and annoying. I’d feel bad saying that on the internet, but since it’s true I’m going to go ahead and not feel guilty.
I mean, I’m just being honest, so it’s not like I’m a bad person. If he didn’t want the world to know that he is annoying then he shouldn’t be annoying.
Here’s what’s annoying about him: he is the world’s pickiest eater. He won’t even eat tacos, for the love of Pete. Or barbecue chicken. Or spaghetti. Tell me, who the fluff doesn’t like spaghetti?
He also likes to come barging in our house shouting about treats. As in, “Where are the treats, woman?” or “Don’t you have any cookies, woman?”
Yeah.
I told you he was annoying and obnoxious.
(I’m going to add this part in the parentheses, because everyone knows that boys don’t read what’s written inside parentheses – I actually kind of like him. I mean, only sometimes, of course. But, I just wanted to throw that out there. He’s not all bad. Usually.)
So, the other night we had a get together and I brought along some brownies (recipe will be shared next week, promise) and these delicious Johnny Appleseed Bars. First of all, Johnny Appleseed Bars? You know they’ll taste good just because of the cute name. Second of all, it’s Fall and these are apple bars. Third, the cakey crust is simply amazing.
My brother-in-law took one look at the apple bars and said “What have we got here, woman?” The bars look all innocent and delicious, so he had high hopes.
I cringed a little though, because I knew there was no way he was going to be pleased with fruit in his dessert. I started to tell him the name, but as soon as he heard “apple” he started convulsing and didn’t stop until I pointed him in the direction of the brownies.
Whatever. He’s dumb. Also, he really doesn’t call me “woman” all the time. I mean, he does call me that a lot, but he also sometimes just calls me by name. I can’t wait to hear what he calls me after I post this on the internet!
So, the moral of this story is that apple bars are delicious, the oatmeal cake crust is outrageous, and brothers-in-law are strange.
I snagged this recipe from the fabulous Joanne at Eats Well With Others. Pop over and tell her hi.
Johnny Appleseed Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 cups quick cooking rolled oats
- 1 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 Granny Smith apples
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment. Place the prepared pan in the freezer.
- Stir together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir in the oats and sugar. In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry and mix until well combined.
- Press half of the dough into the prepared pan. Set aside.
- Roll the remaining dough between two pieces of parchment paper into a 9x13 rectangle. Place in the freezer on a cookie sheet.
- Peel, quarter, and thinly slice the apples. Arrange them over the dough in rows so that each slice slightly overlaps another.
- Remove the rolled dough from the freezer and peel off one layer of parchment. Place the dough on top of the apples and remove the other piece of parchment. Press the dough in to cover the apples.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through. Cool in the pan and then cut into squares to serve.
Sara M says
I’m just making these and was wondering about the sugar. It says to mix the sugar into the oat/flour mixture. But then it says to add sugar to the eggs etc. Just wondering which one Im supposed to add it to or if a white sugar is missing from the list? Don’t want to mess it up. Thanks
Karly says
Whoops! Sorry about that. You add the sugar to the oats/flour. No extra sugar should be added to the eggs. 🙂
Annie says
I have been going thru yr site and I just love it!! havent tried out any yet.Just wanted to know whats a good substitute for cream of tartar?
Also have come across a lot of recipes that call for sour cream whats the substitute for that too if you know..
appreciate if you could revert!
God bless n take care!!
Annie from Mumbai In India
Karly says
I’m not sure of a good sub for cream of tartar, but google might know! 🙂
As for the sour cream, I’d swap it out with greek yogurt. Hope that helps!
Thanks for reading!
Rae says
I made these today, only I used whole oats instead of quick, and half whole wheat flour instead of all white. They are in the oven right now, and already smell AMAZING! They are dessert tonight 🙂
grace says
these are terrific, karly. butter + brown sugar never fails in my eyes, and the other stuff ain’t too shabby either.
Cookbook Queen says
I am totally in love with apple desserts. It’s mainly how I get my daily serving of fruit!! These look like perfection. PERFECTION!!
sara says
Those look delicious. I will need to try them. Your brother in law does seem a little rude with those comments.
Meg L. says
I just made these and YUM! They ended up kind of crumbly but I think that was my fault. I didn’t have any parchment paper so I used a silpat – yeh don’t do that…and also let it actually sit to cool! Woops! But who cares what it looks like, it was delicious!
StephenC says
A favor is requested from you. Go to my blog: http://theobsessivechef.blogspot.com and check out my new book. Then do one or both of these: click on the link to purchase a copy and/or mention it on your blog. It would mean a lot to this fledgling author. Thanks.
Karly says
Jacqui,
I tend to use old fashioned oats and quick cooking oats interchangeably without problem. The quick cooking oats are just rolled a bit thinner so that they cook quicker. I’ve never noticed a difference between the two in taste or in cooking time, but I only use oats for baking. I’m sure you’d notice more of a difference if you were making actual oatmeal.
Hope you enjoy the bars!
Karly
Debbie says
Oooh, yeah. That was a great idea. Caramel sauce all over those bad boys. Breakfast of champions, baby!
Hey Jacqui, when you look at the containers of Quaker oats, they have one kind that’s usually labeled old-fashioned rolled oats (or something like that) and another one that they advertise as cooking in 1 minute. Those are the ones she means. They’re a bit smaller/thinner than regular rolled oats.
Jacqui says
These look so delicious and I plan on making them for a potluck dinner I am attending tomorrow! One question though… I am fairly new to baking and was wondering what “quick cooking rolled oats” are? Is that just like old fashioned Quaker Oats? Thanks!!
Debbie says
I just made these and they’re yummy! You know what I wanna do, though? Drizzle them with caramel sauce. Lots and lots of caramel sauce.