Applesauce Bars

Makes 36 bars

Prep time: 15 min
Baking time: 30 min

Ingredients:

• 1/2 - cup shortening
• 1 - cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 - egg
• 1-3/4 - cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 - teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 - teaspoon salt
• 1/2 - teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 - teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 - teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 - cup thick applesauce
• 1/4 - cup water
• 1-2/3 - cups (10-ounces package) Peanut Butter Chips or Cinnamon Chips
• 1/2 - cup golden raisins (optional)
• LEMON FROSTING (recipe follows)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

1. In a large bowl, beat shortening, brown sugar and egg until light and fluffy.
2. Stir together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; add to shortening mixture, beating until well blended.
3. Add applesauce and water; beat until well blended.
4. Stir in peanut butter chips and raisins, if desired. Spread batter in prepared pan.
5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
6. Cool slightly in pan on wire rack.
7. Frost with LEMON FROSTING.*
8. Cut into bars.

LEMON FROSTING

Makes about 3/4 cup frosting

2-1/2 - Tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1-1/2 - cups powdered sugar
4 to 4-1/2 - teaspoons lemon juice
1 - teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel
Beat butter and powdered sugar in small bowl until well blended. Gradually add lemon juice and peel; beat until of spreading consistency. 

* Recipe may be doubled for a thicker frosting. Original recipe amount is more like a glaze.

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