Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C and spray a 13 x 9 baking tin with cooking spray

Using a medium size bowl, combine the flour, oats, pecans, baking soda and one cup of the sugar. Add in the melted butter and stir until the butter has wet all the dry ingredients then remove one and a half cups of the mixture and set aside.

Tip the remaining mixture into the greased baking dish and press down to form an even and compacted layer.

Bake for fifteen minutes to set then remove and allow to cool completely.

In a separate bowl mix together the cream cheese and remaining three quarters of a cup of sugar. Add in the eggs one at a time ensuring they are each fully incorporated into the mixture. Add in the lemon juice and vanilla extract and mix again.

Spread the apple butter over the cooled crust then pour the cream cheese mixture over the top and spread into an even layer.

Crumble over the reserved oat and flour mixture then bake in the oven for around 35 minutes until the cream cheese is set.

Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.