School is back in session! So of course apples have been on my mind and in my fridge lately . I have a few apple dessert recipes for the next few posts that came about because I had bits of this and that leftover which I threw together to see what would happen. I am pleased to report that no trips to the emergency room for stomach pumping came up as a result.
This recipe comes from a 'Bar Cookies' mini booklet that was included with the recent Food Network magazine. Surprise! It is not a vintage recipe!
Apple Pie Cookie Bars
Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with foil, leaving 2 inch overhang on two sides; coat the foil with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Saute' 3 diced apples in 1/2 stick butter with 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp apple pie spice until softened. Set aside.
Melt 2 sticks butter; let cool slightly. Whisk in 1 1/2 cups sugar, 3 eggs and 1 tbsp vanilla. Stir in 2 cups flour and 1/4 tsp salt. Add apples to batter. Spread into prepared pan. Sprinkle top with coarse sugar before baking. Bake until edges are set but the center is soft, about 25 minutes.
However, I did add a Penuche Icing drizzle on the top, which comes from Betty Crocker's New Cook Book circa 1961:
However, I did add a Penuche Icing drizzle on the top, which comes from Betty Crocker's New Cook Book circa 1961:
The bars really need the icing, they tend to be a smidgen dry and missing that 'something' . The bars are quite good though.
I like that this icing dries firm so the bars can be wrapped in saran wrap keeping the icing on the bar intact. This is something that is always on my mind from years of making stuff for bake sales and school fundrasiers (a couple of examples: Homemade Twinkies, Spooky Strawberry Cake Batter Bars)
If you need more appleness, in the mean time see some of my past posts that feature apples in some form or trickery:
Peanut and Apple Butter Twist Ups
Applesauce Cake
My That's Huge Wedge-O-Pie
Monster Apple Lips
Appless Pie
*****
As a side note I wanted to put something on here about the start of the new school year. If you are a regular reader of this blog you very well know that I can go on and on about volunteering at my son's elementary school. PB just started middle school this year and it has been a hard adjustment for the both of us. Truthfully the adjustment hasn't taken hold yet. He gets out of school way later and has a crap ton of homework for the afternoon. I don't get to spend as much fun/free time with him anymore. I don't have the option of driving the few blocks from our house to his elementary school to do stuff for his teachers and then have lunch with him anymore. I used to just drop by and surprise him at lunch. I knew that the end of his elementary years were coming and I knew to enjoy them for everything he and I could. When the last day of elementary school came in some ways I was ready. I was so exhausted from room parenting along with all of the end of the year parties, activities, banquets, and an out of state field trip that I helped with.
Today it hit me though. It hit me hard. I decided to attend the volunteer meeting for clearance to volunteer at his old elementary school. (I am hoping to be able to continue doing the Bone Soup reading to any interested classes around Halloween.) PB and I walked our old route to go into the school and then went up to see his fifth grade teachers. We hadn't gotten the chance to go in and see them since school had started. It felt like it was fifth grade again. PB catches his middle school bus from his old elementary school so he went that way and I headed for the auditorium. As I was sitting there and listening to the same rules and regulations I hear each time from the past 6 years, I thought back to being there last year. About signing up to be room parent, about it being PB's last year there and it became a moment of realization of the here and now. We are no longer a part of this wonderful elementary school family anymore. I can still volunteer there but it will never be the same as it was. I felt a tear roll down my cheek but I hurriedly brushed it away and focused on the matter being discussed..how to use the copy machines. When I got back to my car I had myself the cry I probably would have had the last day of elementary school if I hadn't been so exhausted.
Peanut and Apple Butter Twist Ups
Applesauce Cake
My That's Huge Wedge-O-Pie
Monster Apple Lips
Appless Pie
*****
As a side note I wanted to put something on here about the start of the new school year. If you are a regular reader of this blog you very well know that I can go on and on about volunteering at my son's elementary school. PB just started middle school this year and it has been a hard adjustment for the both of us. Truthfully the adjustment hasn't taken hold yet. He gets out of school way later and has a crap ton of homework for the afternoon. I don't get to spend as much fun/free time with him anymore. I don't have the option of driving the few blocks from our house to his elementary school to do stuff for his teachers and then have lunch with him anymore. I used to just drop by and surprise him at lunch. I knew that the end of his elementary years were coming and I knew to enjoy them for everything he and I could. When the last day of elementary school came in some ways I was ready. I was so exhausted from room parenting along with all of the end of the year parties, activities, banquets, and an out of state field trip that I helped with.
Today it hit me though. It hit me hard. I decided to attend the volunteer meeting for clearance to volunteer at his old elementary school. (I am hoping to be able to continue doing the Bone Soup reading to any interested classes around Halloween.) PB and I walked our old route to go into the school and then went up to see his fifth grade teachers. We hadn't gotten the chance to go in and see them since school had started. It felt like it was fifth grade again. PB catches his middle school bus from his old elementary school so he went that way and I headed for the auditorium. As I was sitting there and listening to the same rules and regulations I hear each time from the past 6 years, I thought back to being there last year. About signing up to be room parent, about it being PB's last year there and it became a moment of realization of the here and now. We are no longer a part of this wonderful elementary school family anymore. I can still volunteer there but it will never be the same as it was. I felt a tear roll down my cheek but I hurriedly brushed it away and focused on the matter being discussed..how to use the copy machines. When I got back to my car I had myself the cry I probably would have had the last day of elementary school if I hadn't been so exhausted.
3 comments:
*hugs*, Mary! I know it is a different experience, but perhaps you could volunteer at PB's middle school? Maybe join the PTA there? I know our middle schools are always looking for volunteers. Of course, continuing to volunteer at the elementary school is good too :)
What broke my heart was last Halloween (Halloween is my favorite holiday) when my son, then a 7th grader, wanted to trick or treat with his friends in a different neighborhood. I know kids grow up but it really bothered me. I guess I thought that the family trick or treating and Santa photos and egg hunts, etc., would never end, but they do. It sucks.
His middle school doesn't need volunteers. Double suckage.
It's nice to know I am not the only sentimental crybaby out there! Thanks for the *hug* Jenn! I am planning on helping out with the PTA at his middle school in some way but they really don't need much other than doing boring stuff like distributing fundraiser orders.
I agree with you Crystal, about Halloween being 'our family holiday'.
As of this year, PB is not protesting wearing themed Halloween costumes with us and going to the historic village to see their decorations (he has never been big on trick or treating). I have always known that this wouldn't last forever, I just always held on to a smidgen of hope that it might.
~mary~
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