Spice Apple Bars

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

When I saw this recipe in Katie’s blog in the fall, I knew I’d have to make it. And boy are we glad I did. These might be one of my favorite things I’ve ever baked. Definitely in the top 10. One of hubby’s coworkers said he would do any amount of manual labor we asked of him if I made a batch of these for him.

Apple Spice bars – from Katie
2 c. plus 2 Tbsp all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp allspice
small pinch ground cloves
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
2 apples, cored and diced (a little less than 2 c.) – I used Macintosh apples
cinnamon sugar for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 9×13 pan with foil and baking spray (I doubled the recipe and used one 9×13 and one 8×8 pan because I wanted them to be thicker).

In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Whisk to combine well and set aside.

In bowl of stand mixer, combine sugars and butter and beat on medium high until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well to combine. Add vanilla extract and beat to combine.

Turn mixer on slow and fold in flour mixture a little at a time until just combined. Fold in apples.

Spread mixture evenly into prepared pan and sprinkle top generously with cinnamon sugar.

Place in oven and bake until cooked through, when top slightly bounces back to the touch, about 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool completely before removing from pan, cutting and serving. Bars will be very soft.

Bars and Brownies, Dessert

11 comments »

11 Responses to “Apple Cranberry Cake-Pie”

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nutmegnanny — November 16, 2009 at 4:02 pm

This looks so homey and delicious!
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2

lilybeth12 — November 16, 2009 at 9:39 pm

RDQ: where should I add the cranberries? did you substitute them for the raisins? can i use fresh cranberries?
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3

Jen — November 17, 2009 at 12:04 am

Sorry – I updated the recipe to reflect that I used dried cranberries in place of the raisins.
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Jane — November 22, 2009 at 12:29 am

Looks just delicious! I’m crazy lately about cranberries too. Talk about a versatile fruit! I just used them this evening to make a cranberry-apple conserve that served as the sauce for almond-crusted pork tenderloin. It was a big hit.
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Lisa — November 22, 2009 at 3:09 am

I also wonder if you can use fresh cranberries since they are in season!
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Jen — November 22, 2009 at 4:57 pm

You could definitely make this with fresh cranberries if you wanted.
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Lisa — November 22, 2009 at 6:15 pm

How long did you bake this if you halved it in a 8 by 8 pan? So excited to try it 🙂
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Jen — November 22, 2009 at 7:43 pm

I think I started checking it at 30 minutes and left it in for about 45 based on the color of the top layer.
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Lucy — November 22, 2009 at 11:03 pm

I’ve seen this recipe around before but it never fails to look so delicious! Gorgeous flavours 🙂
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Lisa — November 23, 2009 at 2:19 am

Me again. It is DELICIOUS! I halved the recipe and used 1 cup of fresh cranberries, though I think I could have used more.

Thanks so much!
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Jen — November 23, 2009 at 2:26 am

Glad to hear it Lisa! I will definitely have to try this with fresh cranberries next time I make it.