Recipes - Apple Nut Bars

Preheat 350°F oven

Grease a 9" by 9" square pan
Large mixing bowl
Medium mixing bowl

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted (Butter recipe)
     OR 1/4 cup olive or grapeseed oil
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped apple
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (such as almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, etc.)
2 Tbsp white sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions:
In a bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon and set aside.
In another bowl, blend melted butter with brown sugar, white sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
Fold apples and nuts into sugar mixture.
Mix together wet and dry ingredients.
Spread the batter into the greased 9"x9" pan.
In a clean bowl, blend 2 Tbsp sugar and 2 tsp ground cinnamon.
Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon dry mix onto top of batter in pan.

Bake at 350F degrees until cake is firm and no longer springy.
Allow to cool and then cut into bars.

These delicious treats make a great healthy alternative to expensive high-sodium, high-sugar snack bars from the store! We wrap each bar individually when they're done and store them in a big zip-lock bag in the freezer for convenience. The bars keep well for at least a year when wrapped and frozen.

Although the recipe calls for apples, nearly any type of fruit and nut may be used with the spices adjusted according to taste. Try them with pears, raspberries, or grapes!

Instant oatmeal may be substituted in place of the flour for an even healthier snack option.