Apple Spice Bars - September, 2018.

A is for apple. The fruit, not the software!

I live in Union Square, NYC. My local farmers’ market has an amazing array of just-picked apples.

Whatever apple you can get, make certain you are using a tart variety for this recipe, something like Granny Smith or Braeburn.

I top this bar with a beguilingly sweet Caramel Icing. Both recipes are from my cookbook, Fat Witch Brownies .
Take a bite of delicious!

• Ingredients
• 10 tablespoons (1 ¼ sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
• ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup unbleached flour
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of ground cloves
• ¾ cup quick-cooking (not instant)oats
• 2 cups tart apples, cored, peeled and cut into same-size small pieces (usually 2 big apples)
• ¾ cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional))

• Directions
• Grease a 9” square baking pan with butter or vegetable oil. Dust with flour and tap out the excess.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until smooth.
• Beat in the eggs until well-combined.
• Measure the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
• Sift together directly into the butter mixture. Mix gently until well combined and no trace of dry ingredients.
• With a wooden spoon, stir in the oats and walnuts, if using.
• Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
• Remove the pan from the oven and let cool on a rack for 1 hour. If icing the bar, let cool first for at least 2 hours. Cut just before serving.
• Makes 12-16 bars