Tuesday, August 18, 2009

TWD: Applesauce Spice Bars


This week’s Tuesdays With Dorie treat was Applesauce Spice Bars. Dorie says to not overlook these bars since they seem simple and old-fashioned. And I can see easily passing right by these, as the idea of an applesauce bar sounded a little boring to me. I like applesauce, but I’m not really sold on it being a dessert. I was wrong, though, these bars are delicious! In addition to being incredibly flavorful, these bars also had lovely texture, with the chewy dried fruit (I used currants) and crunchy pecans. And they smelled amazing while baking; they could definitely sell a home. I was feeling like they were fairly healthy, since I only used half a stick of butter for my half batch. Then I made the glaze (a full batch), which was more butter and cream, but its caramelly goodness was definitely worth it – so yummy.



These bars were very easy to make and they would have been quick, too, if I didn’t find out the apple I bought was moldy when I cut into it (better than biting into it, though). I sent Mr. Penpen to the grocery store for another apple, but decided he may as well pick up ingredients for dinner while he was there and I forgot to write down apples when I made my list for him (he has informed me that I can never be too specific when sending him to the store). So he had to go to the store again since apples were a pretty central ingredient for these bars. My glaze was pretty thin after cooking it for the instructed time, but I let it cool for several minutes and whisked it, so it ended up being nice and thick.



We were a little divided on the Deliciousness of this recipe. Mr. Penpen gave the bars a 9 and I thought they were more like a 7.5 or 8, so I guess we’ll give them an 8.5 (they were better the next day), and I gave them a 2.5 for Effort, giving this treat an EDR of 3.4. Many thanks to Karen of Something Sweet by Karen for reminding us that Fall is just around the corner. You can find the recipe here on Karen’s site and see what the other bakers thought by visiting the TWD blogroll.

20 comments:

Cristine said...

Your bars look great!

Kayte said...

Hmmm...going with that extra glaze looks downright sinful...and I wouldn't mind a bit! Your bars look so good...that photo of the whole lot of them smothered in that glaze is the best...ooh, la la, straight to hell on these!

Anonymous said...

They look great! That's too funny about all the trips to the grocery store for an apple.

spike. said...

I like your changes! and that glaze looks amazing

Megan said...

At least yours are in bar form.......

betty geek said...

I give your bars a 10!

They look superbly YUMMY!

Leslie said...

Yours look soooo perfect! I am in love with how your glaze turned out. I had the very same thought, that these would be mandatory if we ever sell the house.

JoAnn Freda said...

The glaze looks and sounds divine! This looks like the perfect fall dessert.

Keri said...

Looking at yours, I'm sad that I skipped the glaze. And I'm convinced they are good for you due to the apples, raisins and nuts. So who cares if you eat the whole pan, its health food :)

Anonymous said...

lol, i like the rating system. your bars look perfect. :)

Unknown said...

Your bars look perfect! I agree with you on the glaze - so yummy! I really enjoyed these bars and know I'm going to make them again this fall. Maybe I'll try to make them a bit healthier next time :)

Anonymous said...

Your bars look great. I thought they were yummy, but not to-die-for yummy.

Jules Someone said...

I skipped the glaze. I'm beginning to think I shouldn't have. That looks just delicious!

Jacque said...

Oh my, your glaze makes these look so decadent!

I'm glad they were better than you thought. That's always a nice surprise.

Teanna DiMicco said...

Well, I'm glad that they were a hit, even after the multiple trips to the grocery store! I can't tell you how many times that happens to me! haha!

Selba said...

these bars look really yummy!

Michele said...

Your bars look amazing!

Anonymous said...

Your bars look delicious! I LOVE the picture of the glaze oozing down the sides of your bars! =) I missed seeing your EDR from last week!
(Thank you for the kind comment, I really appreciate it. It's nice to know that things are better than they were 6 months ago!)

Melissa said...

What a bummer about the moldy apple - that's just not right! Glad it turned out well for you though. Yours looks great!

Cakelaw said...

I agree that these were good. Applesauce is not something I commonly cook with, but I loved the mositness of these bars.