Apple Raisin Bars for Magazine Monday

Apple-Raisin Bars





One of the perks of Autumn and Winter is the abundance of apples at the market. There is so much you can do with apples in cooking. I actually have an apple cookbook which features many different types of apples to be used in desserts and as ingredients in main meals.

When I was growing up we had two huge apple trees in the back yard, sentries at either end of my mother’s vegetable garden.



She was the June Cleaver kinda mom who would grow the food and then make amazing meals. When she picked the apples we were sure to enjoy a homemade pie, freshly stewed applesauce, and one of my favorites – apple bars.


When I came across this recipe in an old Family Circle magazine I clipped it and filed it away. That was a year ago and it just surfaced. Don’t ask……..

Only 15 minutes of prep (barring any unfortunate accidents such as throwing chickpeas in the flour, I wrote about here), gather the following ingredients………


2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 ¼ teaspoons cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups packed light-brown sugar

2 eggs

½ cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ½ cups died Golden Delicious apple

¾ cup raisins


Heat oven to 350 degrees. Liberally coat a 13x9x2 inch baking pan with non stick cooking spray.

In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; set aside.



In a large bowl blend together sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla with a mixer. I would use medium speed. Blend 3 minutes until smooth.

Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour mixture; mix for 2 minutes or until incorporated.



Get your diced apples and raisins ready......



Stir in diced apples and raisins



Then spread into prepared pan.




Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before cutting into bars.



They were wonderfully cinnamony, appley, warm treats that i will surely be making again! I'm sorry it took me so long to make these.



I think they may even have been good with the chickpeas!

Ok, don't forget the giveaway for the steamed British pudding booklet from a few days ago. Check it out! I have found two more books that are going to be leaving my shelve :-)