Laura's Baking Talent: Apple Orchard Bars

I have to admit it. I had an apple breakdown on Tuesday. The plan was to make you these really great apple cookies from my endless cookie list. These cookies ranked really high when I did the 50 cookies, so I thought there would be no issue.

However I made them and they turned out badly. They still tasted awesome, but they were really flat. There was no way I could take pictures of those cookies and put the on the blog. I had to figure out what went wrong with the recipe first.

I however didn't have much time, because this week has become overly busy. Normally I plan ahead.... like the next two weeks all the recipes are cooked and photographed. However I moved up apple week, and figured I would be ok since I was making them on Tuesday and I have done the recipe before.

So Tuesday night I was siting on the couch trying to figure out how apple week would survive. I'm sure Jim was thinking that I was crazy. I mean the world wouldn't end right if there was no third apple recipe. I am however an achiever and like to complete my missions.

So I decided that I would get out my cookbooks and find a recipe. I found these Apple Orchard Bars in one of my favorite cookbooks by Joanne Fluke. They turned out pefectly. This is called a cookie bar, but it has a moist fluffy cake texture. The combination of apples and cocunut is also surprising and tastes great. The other great thing is that you will probably have everything you need in the house to make these.

Joanne Fluke writes a mystery series about Hannah Swensen who lives in a small town in Minnesota. She owns her own cookie shop and helps solve the small town mysteries with her family and friends. The story is great, however the other great part of the series is that throughout the stories she is making treats and the recipes are included. If you enjoy mysteries then I suggest you give one of her books a try. The first one is Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (A Hannah Swensen Mystery)

So back to these Apple Orchard Bars, I think these would be perfect to take to a potluck or bake sale. Everyone will love something that is a little different and it will fit together with the fall theme. I did a half batch in a 9X9 pan, but you could double everything and make a 9X13 easily.

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 beaten egg (use a whisk or fork)
1/4 cup oats
1/2 cup peeled chopped apple (about 1 medium sized apple)
1 cup flaked coconut, divided in recipe
3/4 cup flour

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9X9 pan.

Melt the butter in the microwave. Place it in the mixing bowl with the white and brown sugar. Mix them until they are smooth. Add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix everything well.

Add the egg, and make sure they are mixed well. Then add in the oats and chopped apple. Make sure the mixture is well combined. Add in part of the coconut, 3/4 cups. Add the flour, and mix well.

Add the dough to the pan, and make sure to level it out. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of coconut.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool and then cut into squares.

Eat and Enjoy!

This recipe originally appeared in Joanne Fluke's Lake Eden Cookbook

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