Apple Kuchen Bars (Ohio)

This apple kuchen is about family, comfort and simplicity. A local sweet treat made for a winters night and served up warm with homemade ice cream.

3 cups all-purpose flour, unbleached, divided
¼ tsp. sea salt
1½ cups butter, cold, divided
4 to 5 Tbsp.  water, ice cold
8 cups tart apples, peeled, thinly sliced (~ 8 medium)
2 cups sugar, divided
2 tsp. ground cinnamon

To Serve:
vanilla ice cream

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4). Grease a 9x13" baking pan.

Place 2 cups flour and sea salt in a food processor; pulse until blended. Add 1 cup butter; pulse until butter is the size of peas. While pulsing, add just enough ice water to form moist crumbs. Press mixture onto bottom of a prepared baking pan.

Bake until edges are lightly browned, 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

In a large bowl, combine apples, 1 cup sugar and cinnamon; toss to coat. Spoon over crust. Place remaining flour, butter and sugar in food processor; pulse until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle over apples.

Bake until golden brown and apples are tender, 60-70 minutes. Cool slightly on a wire rack. Cut into bars and serve warm with ice cream.

Makes 2 dozen.