I like easy on holidays but I also want to spoil family and guests. This is an easy make-ahead cookie bar that should get you good reviews and end your Easter feast sweetly.
Caramel Apple Bar Cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 box brown sugar (the 16-ounce box)
2 beaten eggs
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking power
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Dash of cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large green apple, peeled and diced
1 ½ cups roughly-chopped walnuts or pecans – Your choice!
Preheat over to 350 degrees.
Place butter and brown sugar in a large saucepan and melt. Remove from heat, place in a mixing bowl, and let cool. Add eggs and beat well. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, vanilla, and spices and mix to blend. Stir in nuts and diced green apple.
Smooth batter into a vegetable-oiled sprayed 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pan and either dust with powdered sugar or frost with lemon icing. Icing is a good basis for adding some colorful Easter sprinkles.
Lemon Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
Finely grated lemon zest to taste
Fresh lemon juice
Add the lemon juice to the sugar/zest mixture, drop by drop, until it reaches a spreadable consistency. Before the icing sets, make sure to add some Easter sparkle! Cut into squares and
serve.
Crazy Quilts, Catholics & Cookies 