Page 21 - Indulge October 2017

APPLE TAKES CENTER STAGE Crisp fall days call for flavorful desserts that warm you from
the inside out. There’s no better way to capture the flavor of
fall than with dishes that celebrate traditional seasonal favorites like
cinnamon, spice and tart, juicy apples.

These desserts are perfect for fall, and a secret ingredient makes
them quick and easy so you have plenty of free time to work up an
appetite and earn an extra bite (or two). Apple butter is more than just
a spread for toast; it’s a versatile ingredient that can enhance your
favorite recipes.

Recipes courtesy of musselmans.com.

EASY APPLE PIE BARS CARAMEL CRUMBLE BARS

Prep time: 20 minutes 1 box (15¼ ounces) yellow cake mix, dry
Cook time: 1 hour 1/2 cup butter, softened, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
Servings: 20 3/4 cup apple butter, plus 3 tablespoons
Nonstick cooking spray 1 egg
7 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced 1 package (11 ounces) caramels, unwrapped
1 cup apple butter 2/3 cup walnuts, chopped
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract, divided 2/3 cup flaked coconut, sweetened
1/2 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 frozen pie crusts, defrosted
1 egg white Heat oven to 350 F. Grease 13-by-9-inch baking pan.
2 tablespoons sugar With electric mixer on low speed, beat dry cake mix and 1/2
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon cup softened butter until mixture is crumbly. Spoon 1 cup cake
1 cup powdered sugar mix mixture into medium bowl; set aside.
2 tablespoons milk Add 3/4 cup apple butter and egg to remaining mixture. Beat
on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
Heat oven to 350 F. Grease 9-by-13-inch pan with Spread evenly into pan. Bake 20 minutes, or until starting to
nonstick cooking spray. brown and top is set.
Place caramels, 2 tablespoons butter and remaining apple
Place diced apples in large mixing bowl. Add apple butter, butter in microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 3-4 minutes,
1 teaspoon vanilla and brown sugar. Mix until apples are stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and melted.
evenly coated. Pour caramel mixture evenly over partially baked crust. If
caramel has cooled and set, microwave 1 minute until soft
Place one pie crust in bottom of greased pan. Slowly and pourable.
stretch out crust to cover pan’s bottom. Cut some edges off, Combine walnuts, coconut and 2 tablespoons melted butter
if necessary. Spread apple filling evenly over crust. with reserved cake mix mixture. Mix until crumbly.
Break up topping and sprinkle evenly over caramel.
With rolling pin, roll second crust to make it same size as Bake 16-18 minutes, or until topping is starting to brown.
pan. Place second crust on top of apple pie filling and tuck Cool completely before cutting into bars.
down edges to cover.
OCTOBER 2017 • INDULGE | 21
To make topping: In small bowl, whisk egg white until
foamy and brush over crust. In another bowl, combine sugar
and cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly over crust.

Bake 50-60 minutes until crust is golden brown. Remove
from oven and cool slightly before cutting.

To make glaze: In small bowl, combine powdered sugar,
milk and remaining vanilla, and whisk until smooth. Drizzle
over cooled bars and serve.