Applesauce Bars

Applesauce bars have to be one of my most favorite things to eat.  Despite the healthy-sounding name, there's probably enough sugar in these to send someone into a diabetic coma...but they are still very yummy.  They are sweet and super moist.  Basically perfect for a simple dessert...or to snack on.  I think I mentioned these once in another post, but I didn't post the recipe.  Silly me.  Since I made these for my last clinical group, I thought I'd better share!

Jane's Applesauce Bars

(I have no clue who Jane is, but the recipe is hand-written by my mom's mother on a card in one of those recipe-holder-box-things)

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 egg

3/4 cup shortening (some butter)

2 cups sweetened applesauce (I use unsweetened)

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 cup chopped nuts (I leave these out)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

Cream together the sugar, shortening and egg.  Add applesauce.  Sift flour, soda, salt & spices; add to mixture.  Add nuts (optional) and vanilla.  Bake at 350 for 25 minutes in 11x16 jelly roll pan.  Spread frosting while hot (or else it's not going to happen).  When cool, cut into squares.

Frosting

(I double this!)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

Pinch of salt

2 TBSP milk

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Melt butter in small sauce pan.  Stir in brown sugar & salt.  Boil for 2 minutes.  Add milk & boil for 1 minute.  Remove from heat & add vanilla & powdered sugar.  Spread quickly while hot!