Apple Pie Squares with Crumb Crust Recipe

This apple pie squares recipe makes a large (15x10-inch) pan of crumb crusted apple squares. You can cut the recipe in half and make on 8-inch square pan instead. Or if you think it will be too hard to roll out a crust large enough to fit in a 15x10-inch pan, you can always use two 8-inch square pans instead.

For the Bottom Crust:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup shortening
2 egg yolks, beaten
4 tablespoons water
For the Applie Pie Squares Filling:

8 large tart apples - peeled, cored and cut into thin slices
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter
For the Crumb Topping:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cold cup butter, cut into small chunks
Make the Crust:

1.Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Set aside a 15x10-inch baking pan.
2.In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder with a whisk or fork until well blended.
3.Cut in shortening with a pastry cutter or two forks until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4.Mix egg yolks and water together and then stir into the flour with a wooden spoon until it forms a ball.
5.On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to fit the bottom of the pan.
6.Place the dough into the bottom of the pan.
Make the Apple Pie Squares Filling:

1.In a large bowl, combine apples, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons flour, sugar and cinnamon.
2.Spread the apple filling evenly into pie crust.
3.Dot with the 2 tablespoons of butter.
Make the Crumb Topping:

1.In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2/3 cup brown sugar until well combined.
2.Cut in the butter with 2 forks or a pastry blender until crumbly.
3.Sprinkle topping over the apples.
4.Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until topping is golden brown