Easy Apple Bars

WI Cheesehead's Note:

From Outpost Natural Foods, in their Diabetes Fighting flyer. This is almost a one dish recipe. Everything gets mixed together in the pan.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 16

• 1/3 cup toasted chopped pecans
• 2 granny smith apples, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup sugar or 1/4 cup sugar substitute
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup cold strong coffee
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. If you need to toast the pecans, place pecans on baking sheet; bake 3-5 minutes; set aside.
3. In an 8-inch baking pan, spread chopped apples and sprinkle with sugar.
4. Using a fork, stir in pecans (unless you want to sprinkle them on top), flours, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda until apples are coated.
5. Use a rubber spatula to stir in coffee, oil, egg and vanilla, scraping sides and bottom of pan. Smooth top with spatula.
6. If saving pecans, sprinkle over top.
7. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
8. Cool on rack and cut into 16 squares.
9. Serve warm or cold. Refrigerate or freeze after 2 days.

Reviews

[Tee Lee]

These were good, but a little dry. They go great with hot coffee or tea to dip in, though. I used chopped walnuts instead of pecans. These are great to grab for an easy, healthy breakfast on the go.

[Tina and Dave]

Nice flavours but very dry - broke up when turned onto the cooling rack. Now eating warm chunks of it!

[Brooke the Cook in WI]

These turned out ok - I thought the directions were easy to follow and didn't have any trouble making the bars. The texture was a little off for me - they looked done after about 35 minutes so I checked with a toothpick and it was clean, but I don't think they were quite done. Next time, I would leave them in the oven for the full 45 minutes. Also, I used espresso for the strong coffee and the taste really came though which I liked. I also liked that these were low in calories.