Apple Pie Squares

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. 2
   Lightly grease 15 x 10 jelly-roll pan.
3. 3
   Prepare Struesel Topping: in medium bowl, with hand, mix all topping ingredients until mixture comes together.
4. 4
   Shape into a ball; cover and refrigerate.
5. 5
   Prepare Shortbread Crust: in large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
6. 6
   With pastry blender or 2 knives used scissor-fashion, cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
7. 7
   Sprinkle crumbs evenly in prepared pan.
8. 8
   With hands, firmly pat crumbs into bottom of pan to form a crust.
9. 9
   Bake crust 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned (crust may crack).
10. 10
    Meanwhile, prepare Apple Filling: in 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
11. 11
    Add apples, raisins, sugar, and cinnamon, and cook 15 minutes or until apples are tender, stirring occasionally.
12. 12
    In cup, mix cornstarch and lemon juice; stir into apple mixture until thickened (it will thicken almost immediately).
13. 13
    Remove skillet from heat.
14. 14
    Spoon hot apple mixture over warm crust.
15. 15
    Break struesel topping into 1/2-inch chunks, and scatter over apple mixture.
16. 16
    Bake 30 minutes or until struesel is golden.
17. 17
    Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
18. 18
    When cool, cut lengthwise into 3 strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 6 pieces.
19. 19
    Use wide metal spatula to lift and serve squares.