Apple Bars

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2

In a medium sized bowl, Whisk together flour, baking powder, apple pie spice, cinnamon and salt.  Set aside.

Step 3

With a stand or electric mixer, blend butter and brown sugar; about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla, blending until smooth. Gradually add flour mixture and blend only until incorporated (do not overmix). Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. The batter will be very thick.

Step 4

Prepare a 9 x 13 pan (my favorite is the magic pan) by either liberally coating it with cooking spray or lining it with parchment, which is the preferred method. (See instructions in the post on how to line a baking pan with parchment paper.) Spread apple batter into the prepared pan and bake in the oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 5

If you lined your pan with parchment, let the bars cool for 15 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Lift them out of the pan with the overhanging parchment on each side, otherwise wait until the bars are completely cool before cutting them into squares before removing.

Step 6

Dust squares with powdered sugar when they are completely cool. And garnish each square with a walnut.