Applesauce Spice Bars

Submitted by wicked cook 46

"From the Blue Bonnet Margarine website. Posting for safe keeping. This makes a very large pan ( 15 x 10 x 1) I have not made them yet. Times are approxmate and does not include cooling time. NOTE: Zaar will not let me do this oats , quick cooking or old fashioned rolled . So use whatever one you want."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 22
• Serves: 48

ingredients

• cooking spray
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup margarine, softened
• 2 cups sweetened applesauce
• 1⁄2 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 4 eggs
• 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups oats, quick-cooking
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsel
• 1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1⁄2 cup raisins (optional)
• glaze
• 2 1⁄4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄4 cup reduced-fat milk (2%)
• 2 tablespoons margarine, softened (2 tbsp = 1/4 stick)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F Spray 15x10x1-inch baking pan with baking spray.
2. Beat granulated sugar, brown sugar and 1 cup margarine in large bowl with electric mixer on medium-high speed until well blended.
3. Add applesauce, buttermilk and eggs; mix well.
4. Add flour, oats, baking soda, salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and the nutmeg; beat until well blended.
5. Stir in chocolate morsels and nuts. Add raisins, if desired.
6. Spread in prepared pan.
7. Bake 25 minutes, or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

8. GLAZE:

9. Beat confectioners' sugar, milk, 2 tablespoonsmargarine, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and the vanilla in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
10. Spread over dessert.
11. Let stand until glaze is firm.
12. Cut into 48 bars to serve.

Reviews

[Katzen]

These were good - a bit more like cake squares, than bars, but they were definately enjoyed! Like Syd, I was generous with the chocolate, nuts, and raisins. I didn't have a 15x10 pan, so following the advice of a pan converter I googled, I used a 9x13 pan. I think they would be better done in the 15x10 pan as suggested in the recipe. I did have to cook them for twice as long as suggested, which may have been due to the pan size. The glaze is a really nice touch! Thanks, Wicky! Made for PRMR.

 

[Sydney Mike]

I did up a large batch of applesauce (using Fuji apples) the other day so used some of that in this recipe! And I was generous with the chocolate, the nuts, AND the raisins! Was also thoughtful enough (to myself & my other half, anyway) to share about 2/3 of the bars with my co-workers in the art department where I work part-time! All agree that these are GREAT TASTING TREATS (I ignored those who thought there were too many raisins used)! From now on, these bars will show up often on my finger food counter in the future! Thanks for sharing it! [Made & reviewed for one of my co-hosts in the current Pick A Chef]