These are the first kind of crumb bars I have ever tried to make and I think it is safe to say I will be making more. The bars have a shortbread-like base with more of a crumble top. Now that sounds complicated, but the topping is just the base with some oats thrown in. One bowl baby! Before I made these bars I though they would be way too complicated for a tray bake. I am really glad I made these!You could use pretty much anything for the fruit filling. I used apples this time because I had some that were looking a little sad but I think plumbs, rhubarb, or any sort of berry would be great as well. If you wanted to serve these bars as more of a formal desert, just top them warm with a ball of vanilla ice cream or custard on top.

1. Preheat your oven to 350F (180C).
2. Line a 9″x13″ baking tray with parchment paper and generously grease the sides with butter.
3. Peel the apples and cut into chunks.
4. Top the apples with 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch and gently stir together.
5. In a large bowl (one that is big enough to get your hands into), measure out the remaining cup sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Give everything a good stir.
6. Cut the cold butter into pieces and add to the flour mixture.
7. Use a pastry cutter to incorporate the butter a little bit into the flour.
8. Crack in the two eggs.
9. Cut the eggs and butter into the flour using the pastry cutter until only pea sized bits of butter remain and all the wet egg has been worked in.
10. Pat half the mixture into the greased baking tray.
11. Top with the fruit.
12. Mix the oats into the remaining half of the dough using your hands. This will make a nice crumbly topping.
13. Sprinkle the topping over the fruit.
14. Bake for 45 minutes or until the top has lightly browned.
15. Leave to cool completely before cutting.
16. Enjoy