APPLE-CHERRY CRUMBLE BARS

Apple-Cherry Crumble Bars image

Yield Makes 2 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for pan
3 cups dried apples (about 7 ounces)
3/4 cup dried cherries (about 4 1/2 ounces)
1 3/4 cups apple cider
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Simmer apples, cherries, and cider in a covered saucepan, stirring occasionally, until fruits are softened, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 5 minutes more. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons liquid. Let cool.
Coarsely chop fruit. Combine with 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and reserved cooking liquid in a bowl.
Whisk together oats, flour, baking soda, salt, remaining 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar. Cut in cold butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal with a few larger clumps remaining.
Press 4 cups of oat mixture evenly into bottom of prepared dish. Spread fruit filling on top, leaving a 1/4-inch border on all sides. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture evenly on top.
Bake until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Let cool completely in dish on a wire rack. Cut into 24 bars. Bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container up to 3 days.