Apples for everyone!

Last time we visited my mother-in-law she had about ten 5 gallon buckets of apples in her kitchen. She had gotten them from a friend's orchard, so we picked up a bucket & brought it home with us. I finally had time, after all the garden work, to get a handle on the apples.

I wanted to bake with some of them, but I also know that come November & December, fresh apple pie would be delicious. Plus it will make my house smell good too! I believe the apples were McIntosh, which is a good thing, since my Hubs likes these the best when cooking. McIntosh & Cortland lose their texture as you bake them, making the mushy. He apparently loves this. Granny Smith & Jonathon keep their shape & texture making them more crisp. Its a preference thing, so pick whatever kind you like the best.

I found these on Good Things Catered & decided to make them to bring into work. These were very good & super easy to make. They kind of tasted like a cinnamon apple blondie. Our co-workers loved them, and b/c they have apples in them, they were a great morning snack. At least that is what I told them ;)

Apple Spice Cookie Bars

Ingredients:
2 c. plus 2 Tbsp all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp allspice
small pinch ground cloves
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
2 apples, cored and diced (a little less than 2 c.)
cinnamon sugar for sprinkling

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 9x13 pan with foil and baking spray.
-In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
-Whisk to combine well and set aside.
-In bowl of stand mixer, combine sugars and butter and beat on medium high until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
-Add eggs, one at a time, beating well to combine.
-Add vanilla extract and beat to combine.
-Turn mixer on slow and fold in flour mixture a little at a time until just combined.
-Fold in apples.
-Spread mixture evenly into prepared pan and sprinkle top generously with cinnamon sugar.
-Place in oven and bake until cooked through, when top slightly bounces back to the touch, about 30 minutes.
-Remove from oven and let cool completely before removing from pan, cutting and serving. (bars will be very soft)