Delectable Applesauce Walnut Bars: A Homemade Treat Recipe
Are you looking for a comforting and delicious treat that’s also relatively simple to make? Look no further than these delightful applesauce walnut bars! They’re a perfect blend of warm spices, moist applesauce, and crunchy walnuts, making them ideal for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even a light dessert. This recipe yields a batch of bars that are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. They’re also naturally gluten-free (if using gluten-free oats) and can be easily adapted to suit different dietary needs.
This guide will walk you through each step of making these irresistible bars, ensuring success even if you’re a beginner baker. We’ll cover ingredient selection, preparation techniques, baking tips, and even some variations to personalize your recipe. So, preheat your oven and let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love These Applesauce Walnut Bars
* **Moist and Tender Texture:** The applesauce adds incredible moisture to these bars, keeping them soft and tender for days.
* **Warm and Comforting Flavors:** The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates a cozy and inviting flavor profile, perfect for cool weather.
* **Crunchy Walnut Contrast:** The toasted walnuts provide a delightful crunch that complements the soft texture of the bars.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy equipment or techniques.
* **Versatile:** These bars are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. They can also be easily customized with different nuts, spices, or dried fruits.
* **Naturally Gluten-Free (Optional):** By using gluten-free rolled oats, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make these scrumptious applesauce walnut bars. It’s always best to measure your ingredients accurately for the best results.
* **Dry Ingredients:**
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend)
* 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick-cooking, use gluten-free if needed)
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
* **Wet Ingredients:**
* 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil (canola, sunflower, or coconut oil)
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* **Nuts:**
* 1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
**Ingredient Notes:**
* **Flour:** All-purpose flour works best for a tender crumb. If using gluten-free flour, choose a blend that contains xanthan gum for structure.
* **Oats:** Rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick-cooking) provide texture and chewiness. Use gluten-free oats if you have a gluten intolerance.
* **Applesauce:** Unsweetened applesauce is preferred to control the sweetness of the bars. If using sweetened applesauce, reduce the amount of brown sugar slightly.
* **Butter:** Melted butter adds richness and flavor to the bars. You can substitute with melted coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
* **Oil:** Vegetable oil helps keep the bars moist. You can use canola, sunflower, or melted coconut oil.
* **Walnuts:** Toasted walnuts have a richer, more intense flavor. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Equipment You’ll Need
* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Whisk
* Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
* Parchment paper (optional, for easy removal)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now, let’s get to the fun part: making the applesauce walnut bars! Follow these detailed instructions for a perfect batch every time.
**Step 1: Preheat and Prepare**
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure your oven rack is positioned in the center of the oven for even baking.
* Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. For easy removal, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will allow you to lift the bars out of the pan easily after baking.
**Step 2: Toast the Walnuts (Optional)**
* If you’re toasting your walnuts, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly toasted. Alternatively, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. Be careful not to burn them!
* Once toasted, let the walnuts cool slightly before chopping them coarsely.
**Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients**
* In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour (or gluten-free flour blend), rolled oats, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and brown sugar. Make sure there are no lumps of brown sugar.
**Step 4: Combine the Wet Ingredients**
* In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, vegetable oil, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and emulsified.
**Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**
* Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough bars. A few streaks of flour are okay.
**Step 6: Add the Walnuts**
* Fold in the chopped toasted walnuts into the batter until evenly distributed.
**Step 7: Pour into the Pan and Bake**
* Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Ensure the batter reaches all corners of the pan for uniform baking.
* Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. The edges of the bars should be lightly golden brown.
**Step 8: Cool and Cut**
* Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting. This is important to allow the bars to firm up and prevent them from crumbling. For best results, cool them on a wire rack.
* Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang (if used). Cut them into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife. If you didn’t use parchment paper, carefully cut around the edges of the pan to loosen the bars before cutting them into squares.
Tips for Perfect Applesauce Walnut Bars
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough bars. Mix until just combined.
* **Use Room Temperature Eggs:** Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily into the batter, creating a smoother texture.
* **Toast the Walnuts:** Toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch.
* **Cool Completely Before Cutting:** Cooling the bars completely before cutting allows them to firm up and prevents them from crumbling.
* **Store Properly:** Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Variations and Adaptations
Here are some ideas for customizing your applesauce walnut bars to suit your taste preferences:
* **Add Dried Fruit:** Stir in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates for added sweetness and texture.
* **Use Different Nuts:** Substitute pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts for the walnuts.
* **Add Chocolate Chips:** Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) for a decadent touch.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom for a unique flavor.
* **Add a Glaze:** Drizzle the cooled bars with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice.
* **Make it Vegan:** Substitute the butter with melted coconut oil, the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg), and ensure your applesauce is vegan-friendly.
* **Add a Streusel Topping:** Create a streusel topping by combining flour, brown sugar, butter, and oats. Sprinkle it over the batter before baking for a crunchy and sweet topping.
Serving Suggestions
These applesauce walnut bars are delicious on their own, but here are some serving suggestions to elevate your experience:
* **Breakfast:** Enjoy a bar with a cup of coffee or tea for a satisfying breakfast.
* **Snack:** Pack a bar in your lunchbox or enjoy it as an afternoon snack.
* **Dessert:** Serve a bar with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a light and comforting dessert.
* **With Yogurt:** Crumble a bar over yogurt or granola for added flavor and texture.
* **Warm it Up:** Slightly warm the bars in the microwave for a few seconds to enhance their aroma and flavor.
How to Store Applesauce Walnut Bars
Proper storage is key to keeping your applesauce walnut bars fresh and delicious.
* **Room Temperature:** Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This will keep them soft and moist.
* **Refrigerator:** For longer storage, store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They may become slightly firmer in the refrigerator, but they will still be delicious.
* **Freezer:** You can also freeze these bars for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Troubleshooting
Here are some common problems you might encounter when making applesauce walnut bars and how to fix them:
* **Bars are too dry:** Make sure you’re measuring the flour correctly. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Overmixing can also contribute to dry bars. Ensure that you are using enough applesauce, or add an extra tablespoon.
* **Bars are too crumbly:** This can be caused by using too much flour or not enough liquid. Double-check your measurements and make sure you’re using the correct amount of applesauce, butter, and oil. Avoid overbaking.
* **Bars are too dense:** This can be caused by overmixing the batter or using too much brown sugar. Mix the batter until just combined and reduce the amount of brown sugar slightly if needed. Check your baking powder’s expiration date and ensure it is still active.
* **Bars are not baking evenly:** Make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature and that the oven rack is positioned in the center of the oven. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
* **Bars are sticking to the pan:** Grease the pan thoroughly with butter or cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
*Please note that the following is an estimate, and the actual nutritional content may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*
* Serving Size: 1 bar
* Calories: 250-300
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 5-7g
* Cholesterol: 30-40mg
* Sodium: 150-200mg
* Carbohydrates: 30-35g
* Fiber: 2-3g
* Sugar: 15-20g
* Protein: 3-4g
A Delicious Treat for Any Occasion
These applesauce walnut bars are a delightful and versatile treat that you can enjoy for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. With their moist texture, warm spices, and crunchy walnuts, they’re sure to become a new favorite in your household. So, gather your ingredients, follow the instructions, and enjoy the process of baking these delicious bars. Happy baking!
Enjoy your homemade Applesauce Walnut Bars! They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.