apple streusel bars

did i ever mention that i got a perfectly amazing baking book for Christmas? the pages are fully covered in big pictures that inspire me to take pretty pictures.  however our kitchen is too dark and i haven't enough time to go and set things up in the sunroom. 
because of the beautiful pictures, i definitely like to use it when i can.  most of the recipes, though, are a more specialty kind of dessert or pastry and some of the ingredients i don't know how to pronounce, much less what they are...
it's packed with delicious recipes though, and out of it, i made these apple streusel bars. :)

you'll be needing:

• generous 1/2 cup of butter, softened
• 2 crisp apples, peeled, cored and diced
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• generous 1 cup self-raising flour*

for the topping:

• 1/3 cup finely chopped nuts (i used walnuts, but calls for almonds)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 and grease and line an 11x7-in pan.

first you're going to peel and dice your apples. when you're done, sprinkle the lemon juice over them and stir to coat the apples with the juice.

cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla until pale.  gradually add the eggs, beating thoroughly. 

stir in the flour and then the apples.  spread evenly in the pan.

for the topping: mix all the ingredients to a crumbly texture.

sprinkle over the bars

bake for 45-55 minutes, until firm and golden.

* substitute 1 cup of self-rising flour by putting 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. salt into measuring cup.  add all-purpose flour to measure 1 cup.