Applesauce Bars

While I realize today is the super bowl, I have to admit that I couldn't be happier that I married a man who is NOT a sports fan!  I hate football, and while I like baseball, I really couldn't say that I enjoy watching it on TV.  The only "sport" that my husband and I both really enjoy watching on TV is boxing.  I guess you could say that we are a match made in heaven....at least from my perspective!  (We just celebrated our 9 year anniversary last night with an AMAZING dinner at The Guild in South Burlington, VT.  If you are in the area and looking for a good place to have steak you definitely need to go there!  Best steak I've ever had.)

My son, on the other hand, loves all sports and will definitely be watching the super bowl.  It is very disappointing to him that we won't watch it with him.  I try to cheer him up by making him a special super bowl day treat, but he's been sick all weekend so I'm not sure he'll be up for it today.  If he's feeling better later maybe I'll whip something up for him to munch on.

This recipe is not intended to be a super bowl treat, however you could certainly make it for your super bowl party.  This one comes from the kitchen where I used to work, and it was always a big hit.  I like to trick myself into believing it's somewhat healthy because it has a layer of applesauce in it, but as I'm making it I realize there is no denying that it is in no way healthy!  But that's OK because desserts are not intended to be healthy.  The only criteria they need to fill is that it's yummy, and this one falls into that category. Enjoy! 

Applesauce Bars

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp of shortening
1 cup + 2 tbsp sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp milk
1 1/4 cup applesauce
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp flour

Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 400.  Mix shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla in bowl of electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.  Add the flour mix to the shortening mixture, alternating with the milk and mix well.  Spread 2/3 of the dough into baking dish.  Add the apple sauce and make sure to spread it out evenly.  

To the remaining 1/3 of the dough, add the extra 2 tbsp of sugar & flour and mix until it forms medium sized crumbs.  Sprinkle of top of applesauce evenly.  Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the topping starts to brown.  Remove from oven and cool completely before serving.  Store left overs in refrigerator.