Applesauce Bars

 

When the Food Floozie posted her recipe for these Applesauce Bars, I couldn't stop thinking about them.  For some reason, that morning, as I was browsing through some of my favorite sites, I was way more hungry then usual.  When I pulled her site up, I don't know what it was about it, but my mouth started watering and my belly started yelling "We want one of those...go get one of those!!!"  Alas, Mary does not live close enough for me to just "pop in" AND even though these bars don't take a lot of time, I didn't have all the ingredients... GRRRRR!!  So, I guzzled some more coffee, hoping that would fool my stomach, but no such luck.  On my way to work and all the way up until lunch time, I couldn't stop thinking about how much I wanted one of those bars!!!  Funny how a simple post about tasty applesauce bars can make you become an obsessive freak!!

Unfortunately, this all transpired on a Tuesday, so I had to wait ALL week long before I actually got a chance to make these.  The best part...they were well wroth the wait!!  Oh, don't get me wrong, I would have loved to have had them that day (and the next and the next and the next....) but to be at home and to be able to really enjoy them, savor them.. instead of shoving them in my mouth as I'm heading out the door... Priceless!!

I changed only a few little things when I made these:  I used apple butter instead of apple jelly (but Mary confirmed that this was not a make or break ingredient in the bars and you could leave it out all together), I used all-purpose flour instead of whole wheat flour, and I topped mine with dark chocolate chips.  Why?  Why not???

Thanks Mary!  These were the BOMB!!!

Applesauce Bars
Slightly adapted from the Food Floozie
Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:
2/3 cup softened butter (I used unsalted)
1/4 cup oil (I used vegetable oil)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup applesauce
3 Tablespoons apple butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup apple flavored instant oatmeal
1/4 - 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.

In a large bowl, combine the butter, oil, sugar and brown sugar; mix in the egg and the salt.  Slowly mix in the flour.  Press 2 cups of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Combine the applesauce, jelly, and cinnamon in a small bowl; spread over the base.

 

Stir the oatmeal and the chocolate chips in the remaining batter; spread over the applesauce layer (I actually sort of just crumbled mine up).

 

Bake for 30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.  Cool before cutting into bars (though I thought they were the best still slightly warm!!).  Enjoy!

 

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