I don’t know about you, but I am completely confused by how the whole world seems to go gaga over pumpkin when leaves start to turn. Fall always makes me think of apples: apple picking, apple crisp, apple cider and, my personal favorite, apple butter. There’s just something so delectable about this savory spread that pairs well with so many different foods, but baked goods are where it reigns supreme. Put in a little time and these simple apple butter bars, adapted from a Betty Crocker recipe, will hit the spot on any crisp fall day.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours
Total time: About 2 hours
Servings: 16 bars
Ingredients:
1 box Betty Crocker yellow cake mix
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup cold butter, plus 2 tablespoons, melted and cooled
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup oats
1 cup apple butter
Photo by Katherine Hunold
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
2. In a medium bowl, combine cake mix and vanilla.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
3. Cut the cold butter into small squares and add to the cake mix.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
4. Cut the butter into the cake mixture, either with a pastry blender or by cutting with two knives in opposite directions.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
(This…kind of takes a while. Put on some good music and get into it!) Keep cutting in the butter until the mix is crumbly, like this.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
5. Remove 1 cup of the mixture and set aside.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
6. Press the larger portion of cake mixture into an undressed 8 inch square pan and bake for 15 minutes.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
7. While the crust bakes, stir the walnuts, oats and melted butter into the remaining cup of cake mixture.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
8. Give the crust a minute to cool, then spread the apple butter on in a thin, even layer.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
9. Sprinkle the crumb mixture on top of the apple butter, pressing gently.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
Photo by Katherine Hunold
10. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until set.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
11. Set on a wire rack to cool for 1 hour.
Photo by Katherine Hunold
12. Cut into 4×4 rows and enjoy!
Photo by Katherine Hunold