Apple-Oatmeal Bars

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup oatmeal
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar
2 t cornstarch
1 cup water
1 t vanilla
4 cups New England apples, cored, unpeeled, sliced

Melt butter and mix with flour, oatmeal, and brown sugar until crumbly. Press half of this mixture into a greased 9-inch pan. Place apple slices on top.

In a small saucepan, combine water, vanilla, sugar, and cornstarch. Cook until it is a clear, slightly thickened sauce. Pour this over the apple slices. Top with the other half of the crumb mixture.

Bake at 350F for 45 minutes. Cool before serving.

Variation: Substitute apples with rhubarb (1/2 inch pieces).

Source: McIntosh News, Summer 2010