I love a good recipe that doesn’t make my butt bigger just by looking at them. These Chewy Fruit Bars would be one of them.
Yes, they have butter and sugar, but some of the sugar is replaced by using Musselman’s Cinnamon Apple Sauce.
I have heard, you know urban legend kinda stuff, that using apple sauce can sometimes be a great way to lighten up a dessert. Yeah, yeah, give me butter/sugar or give me death is what I say. But you know what? These little bars were PERFECT. Sweet, but not overly sweet. You could eat them for breakfast and not feel to terribly guilty.
They are soft, and cinnamon-y (yes, that is a culinary word) with lovely specs of nuts and fruit.
The possibilities for the babies are endless. Next time I might throw in some dried cherries…oh yeah.
Thank you to Musselman’s for sending me some apple sauce and the recipe to make the bars. I am glad they did, because now I can somewhat jump on the applesauce replacing sugar/butter bandwagon. However, ones not to say I might not fall of the wagon often.
| Chewy Fruit Bars |
- 2/3 c. butter, softened
- 3/4 c. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 c. flour
- 1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 c. quick-cooking oats, uncooked
- (4) 4 oz cups any flavor MUSSELMAN’S Healthy Picks Apple Sauce
- 1 c. raisins
- 1 c. walnuts, chopped
- In large mixer bowl beat butter to soften.
- Add brown sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Blend in flour, cinnamon and baking soda, mixing well.
- Stir in oats.
- Press 2/3 of mixture into 13″ x 9″ baking pan lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
- In medium bowl, combine apple sauce, raisins and walnuts.
- Spoon evenly over dough in pan.
- Crumble remaining dough over top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool completely.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Cut into bars.
Recipe Source- Musselman’s
The Hungry Housewife
Gotta love a good fruit bar! These sound delightful!
oooh, I will have to try these! My older boys love homemade granola-type bars! Annnd I happen to have some apple butter in my cabinet right now, because I’m 80 years old.
We snack/granola bars and I am always looking for new recipes! I love that this one uses applesauce!
Oh HELLS yes. Feel free to bring some to Seattle. You ARE coming to Seattle right??
Who doesn’t love a recipe that doesn’t make your butt bigger?! 😉 I absolutely love using applesauce as a filler when I bake too. These bars look great. I have been so loving your blog!
these looks so scrumptious and quite easy. I will have to make them soon.
Wait…is today Thursday? Where is the favorite thing for the day? I look forward to that every Thursday!
These look amazing and I’m a huge fan of replacing sugar and fat with applesauce. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend my friend! xo
Oh sounds so perfect for a pre- or post-workout snack! Yum!