I finally decided it was time to BAKE something here in Fort Lauderdale, so I looked in my cupboards to see what I had on hand.
So these Applesauce Raisin Bars were born…
RECIPE
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/3 c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 cups applesauce
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup raisins
Soak raisins in some hot water for about ten minutes to soften…then discard water. (Wish I could use it for the nutrients and flavor, but would have to adjust the dry ingredients. No time to play with the recipe now-maybe later!) Set aside the plump raisins.
Cream butter and brown sugar, then beat in eggs until fluffy. Add applesauce. In separate bowl combine all dry ingredients and mix well. Stir dry ingredients into butter mixture and combine. Add plumped raisins and stir all together.
Spread into a greased sheet pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until done. Cool and frost as desired. (I combined butter, cream cheese, salt, vanilla, powdered sugar and milk to make my usual cream cheese frosting.)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups applesauce
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup raisins
- FROSTING
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 3 or 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 to 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES
- Soak raisins in hot water for about ten minutes to soften, then discard the water. Set the raisins aside. Cream the butter and brown sugar together and add the applesauce. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Stir all the dry ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture combine., Stir in the plumped raisins. Spread onto a greased 11 x 17 inch baking sheet pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until done. Cool and frost.
- FROSTING
- Combine butter, cream cheese, salt, vanilla and enough powdered sugar to reach the consistency you wish. Mix well, and spread on cooled bars.
- All I can say is...Bake these...and pour some coffee. It's a match made in heaven.
I have used this recipe for many years. My children loved it and there were seldom any left over. I like it because it is quick and easy, requires little clean up time and is always welcome. My grandchildren and neighbors now enjoy it too. For a change of flavor I sometimes add either
a 1/2 tsp of ginger or 1/4 tsp cloves. This is a standby treat.
Thanks for your comment Mary! And I love the fact that you change up a recipe to make it YOURS! I say recipes are a roadmap…and we a;; have permission to take a detour whenever the mood strikes us. Happy Cooking!
XOXO
Meemaw
these sound great!
Thank you Maureen!
XOXO
Meemaw