Golden Apple Bars Recipe (Apple Bar Cookies)

Heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F (170°C fan). Grease a 23x33 cm (9x13 in) pan; line with parchment if you want easy lifting.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, salt, and powdered sugar.

Add the cold butter, margarine, and shortening. Rub in with your fingertips (or use a pastry cutter) until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.

Stir in the egg and vanilla. If it won’t clump, add milk a little at a time just until the dough holds together; keep it on the drier side.

Press about two-thirds of the dough firmly into an even layer in the prepared pan. Reserve the rest for the topping.

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add apples, brown sugar, lemon zest, and cinnamon, then cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring, until the apples soften slightly and the syrup thickens a bit.

Spread the apple filling evenly over the base. Crumble the remaining dough over the top and lightly press so it adheres.

Bake for 35–37 minutes, until the top is lightly golden. Cool completely in the pan, dust with powdered sugar, then cut into bars.