CRUST:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter
1 egg yolk
2 1/2 tbsp. cold water

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x9-inch pan.

Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Add butter in pieces and process to make a fine meal. Blend yolk and water. Pour over dry ingredients and process until damp crumbs form. Pat crumbs into bottom and halfway up sides of pan. Bake for 25 minutes.

FILLING AND TOPPING:

3 cups apples, peeled cored and chopped
1/2 cup pitted dates, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces

Mix apples, dates, sugar, and lemon juice. Spread evenly over crust. Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add butter and rub it to make damp crumbs. Cover apples with topping and pat gently.

Bake 40 minutes at 350°F until golden brown. Cool completely before slicing into bars.

Yield: 16 bars