• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a 9×9” baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease, set aside.

Apple filling

• Peel, core, and chop the apples into small pieces. 
• Place the chopped apples into a medium bowl. 
• Add the lemon juice, sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the apples and toss to combine. Set aside until needed.

Crumb Topping

• Add the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and salt to a medium bowl and whisk to combine.
• Add the butter to the dry ingredients and mix it into form small crumbs.

Crust

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl and electric mixer), beat the butter and sugar for 2 minutes on medium-high speed.
• Add vanilla and beat until incorporated.
• Add the all-purpose flour and salt and beat until coarse, large crumbs form (about 60-90 seconds).
• Transfer the dough to the bottom of the prepared baking pan and press it into an even layer on the bottom of the pan.

Assemble & Bake

• Spread the apple filling evenly over the crust.
• Sprinkle the crumb topping over the apples.
• Place the pan on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
• Place the pan on a wire rack to cool before serving.
• Cut into squares and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream.