The taste of apples and cinnamon is complemented with a rich browned butter frosting in these classic and simple bars.

EASY

INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 36 COOKIES

• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup very finely chopped peeled apple
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• ½ cup apple juice, divided
• ½ cup butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup apple juice

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9″ × 13″ pan with nonstick baking spray containing flour.

2. In large bowl, cream butter with sugar and salt until light and fluffy. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, egg, and vanilla and mix well.

3. Sift together flour, whole wheat flour, and baking powder. Add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix well.

4. Beat in apples, nuts, and ¼ cup apple juice, then stir in remaining flour mixture.

5. Spread in prepared pan. Bake for 25–35 minutes until bars are golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack.

6. For frosting, melt ½ cup butter in heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until butter turns brown. Immediately remove from heat and beat in powdered sugar and apple juice. Frost cooled bars.