Ingredients

• Filling:
• 1 1/2 pounds tart apples, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• Crust:
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons canola or other vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking (not instant) oats

Instructions

1. To make filling: Combine apples and lemon juice in a large, non-aluminum saucepan. Mix sugar with cornstarch and nutmeg; stir into apples. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, or until filling is thick. Let cool completely.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
3. To make crust: Cream butter, oil, and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Beat into butter-sugar mixture just until blended. Stir in oats to make a crumbly dough.
4. Reserve 1 1/3 cups oat mixture for topping. Pat remaining oat mixture evenly over bottom of ungreased 9-by-13-inch pan. Spread cooled apple filling over crust. Sprinkle reserved oat mixture evenly over apple filling, and press gently with fingers.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden. Let cool completely, then cut into bars.