October 12, 2011

Johnny Appleseed Bars

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.

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Johnny Appleseed Bars

Ingredients:

2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups quick cooking rolled oats
1 1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 to 5 firm Granny Smith apples

Directions:

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.

Bar Desserts, Dessert, Fruit, Seasonal

25 comments »

25 Responses to “Johnny Appleseed Bars”

Sue October 12, 2011 @ 8:40 pm (#
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They sure look amazing! Funny post:)
Debbie October 12, 2011 @ 9:05 pm (#
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This post totally cracked me up. I may just have to make these for my daughter’s pre-school class. This is their week to learn about apples. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure the most important thing to learn about apples is how well they pair with cinnamon, nutmeg & brown sugar.
Deborah October 12, 2011 @ 10:52 pm (#
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I have been wanting to try these since seeing them on Joanne’s site. Now I know I REALLY need to try them!!
shelly (cookies and cups) October 13, 2011 @ 5:54 am (#
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I agree with the fact that brothers in law are strange. I have 4 of them. 4 too many
These bars look amazing!
Jeni October 13, 2011 @ 6:04 am (#
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You crack me up! Can’t wait to try these.
Heather October 13, 2011 @ 7:08 am (#
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These will be perfect for saturday.
Maria October 13, 2011 @ 8:51 am (#
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I am making these asap! Love them!
brandi October 13, 2011 @ 9:17 am (#
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do think this is true for all brother-in-laws? mine isn’t annoying, but he’s super picky, too! strange.
cherylK October 13, 2011 @ 11:27 am (#
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Looks delicious! Seriously…as soon as I post this comment, I am making this recipe!! Am going to use Honey Crisp Apples, though, because I have a ton of them.

Most brothers-in-law are pretty annoying…it’s in their DNA, I think. But push comes to shove, they’ll be there when you need ‘em.
natalie (the sweets life) October 13, 2011 @ 11:38 am (#
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ha I was hoping to find an annoying comment from him on here

Joanne is awesome–no surprise this recipe turned out wonderfully! Yum!!
Joanne October 13, 2011 @ 12:20 pm (#
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Ummm yeah…totally his loss! Anyone who doesn’t think apple pie in bar form is the shiznit is crazed. More for you!

I’m so glad you liked these chica! <3
donna October 13, 2011 @ 2:33 pm (#
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first, i WILL be making these as they look de-vine!
second, i would take one for the team and smash one in brother in law’s face….just sayin’.
reason: no one…not even my husband calls me “woman” as though i’m a piece of property….unless you wanted to top his with a little chocolate…as in the “smooth” kind like “ex-lax”…just to “smoooooth” things over for with him….just to make HIS a little EX-tra special! lol!
you do things for those you love because you WANT to…not because he (brother in law) can come barging in expecting you to produce something pronto…ya know? but top anything with ex-lax and that’ll produce something pronto! hahahaha! AND teach him a lesson to boot! and when he questions you about it you can then say “now when you can come into MY home and respectfully ASK for something sweet, accept what i have without comment or criticism unless favorable AND without WOMAN before during or after a sentence, then you don’t have to worry about any reprocussions. kapeesh?
at least you’ve had a laugh outta this! (i hope!)
Geni October 13, 2011 @ 2:38 pm (#
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I have seen joanne’s post on this as well and both posts look sublime. I think it’s time I actually make these babies. They’re beautiful and delicious looking. And YES, brother-in-laws are weird and annoying sometimes and also a lot of fun…I can tell that is your real opinion here. Take care!
Karly October 13, 2011 @ 4:03 pm (#
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Donna,

I’m pretty sure he calls me woman in the nicest possible way. I’ll be sure to keep that ex-lax option in mind for the future, though.

Karly
Karly October 13, 2011 @ 4:04 pm (#
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Natalie,

He’s off in Vegas celebrating his birthday with my husband and other bro-in-law. I’m sure we’ll get something annoying as soon as he loses all of his poker money.

Karly
Debbie October 13, 2011 @ 11:09 pm (#
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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.
Jacqui October 14, 2011 @ 6:39 am (#
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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 October 14, 2011 @ 8:35 am (#
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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.
Karly October 14, 2011 @ 8:56 am (#
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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
StephenC October 14, 2011 @ 9:41 am (#
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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.
Meg L. October 14, 2011 @ 10:39 am (#
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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!
sara October 15, 2011 @ 12:05 am (#
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Those look delicious. I will need to try them. Your brother in law does seem a little rude with those comments.
Cookbook Queen October 15, 2011 @ 8:25 am (#
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I am totally in love with apple desserts. It’s mainly how I get my daily serving of fruit!! These look like perfection. PERFECTION!!
grace October 16, 2011 @ 2:23 am (#
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these are terrific, karly. butter + brown sugar never fails in my eyes, and the other stuff ain’t too shabby either.
Rae October 27, 2011 @ 1:07 pm (#
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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