Red Apple Butter Bars

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups quick-cooking oats

2 cups packed brown sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1-1/2 cups butter, melted

2 medium apples, chopped

1-1/2 cups apple butter

1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients; stir in butter. Reserve 1-1/3 cups crumb mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture onto bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack. (Don’t skip this step) Sprinkle apples over crust; spread with apple butter. Stir walnuts into reserved topping; sprinkle over apple butter. Bake 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.