1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
4. While the crust is baking, toss the sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a large bowl. Stir to coat the apples evenly.
5. Once the crust is ready, spread the apple mixture evenly over it. Crumble the remaining dough over the top of the apples, pressing gently.
6. Bake the bars for 35-40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
7. Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before lifting them out using the parchment overhang. Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

Don’t worry if your bars look a bit rustic—that’s part of their charm. Just like my mom’s magic with a can of tomatoes, these bars are proof that the simplest ingredients can create something special.