Old Fashioned Applesauce Bars
Servings 24 bars
Ingredients
Applesauce Bars
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup raisins or chopped walnuts optional
- powdered sugar for dusting or frosting of choice
Instructions
Make the Bars
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Add applesauce and stir to combine. The batter may look curdled, that is normal.
- Fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in raisins or nuts if using.
- Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely in the pan before dusting with powdered sugar or frosting. Cut into 24 bars.
Notes
- Don't overmix: Stir the flour in gently for tender bars.
- Curdled batter: The batter may look slightly curdled after adding applesauce. This is normal and resolves when flour is added.
- Storage (unfrosted): Room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days, or refrigerate up to 1 week.
- Storage (frosted with cream cheese): Must be refrigerated, up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted bars individually wrapped for up to 3 months.
- Egg-free option: Increase applesauce by ¼ cup and add 1 extra teaspoon baking powder. The bars will be slightly denser but still moist.