Apple Oatmeal Squares

8×8 pan 

approx. 35 minutes at 350 degrees 

*SEE NOTE* about cooking times

1 1/2 cups oatmeal 

1 1/2 cups flour (a mixture of whole wheat and all purpose works well. 1 cup all purpose, 1/2 cup whole wheat) 

3/4 cup butter or hard margarine, softenend 

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 

2 1/2 cups chopped apples (about 3 or 4 good sized juicy apples – peeled or not) 

1/2 tsp. cinnamon 

1/2 cup white or brown sugar (for the apples) 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the oatmeal, flours, first amount of brown sugar and butter. Mix until it is well blended (you may need your hands for this), and pat slightly more than half into an 8×8 square pan.

Slice or chop the apples and mix with the cinnamon and the second amount of brown sugar. If you are lazy like me, you can just chop the apples right into the pan, sprinkle with cinnamon, and pour the brown sugar over top. Pat the remaining crumb mixture on top of the apples. Some apples may be peaking through and that's okay.

Bake for about 40 minutes or so (35 to 50 minutes – see note). Let cool before serving. 

*NOTE: cooking time depends on how you like your apples. Personally – I like my apples with a little bite to them. Al dente apples. Mr. Chef, however, likes his apples well cooked. Shorter time for more bite, more time for less bite.