Recipe: Apple-Spice Bars

APPLE-SPICE BARS

3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar, divided use
1/3 cup shortening
2 large eggs
3/4 cup unbleached flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 cup very finely chopped peeled apple
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

Cream 3/4 cup sugar and shortening together. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well; set aside.

Stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and ginger. Blend into the creamed mixture and mix well.

Stir in apples. Spread in prepared baking pan.

Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon together; blend well. Sprinkle on top of the dough.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool; cut into bars.

Makes 36 bars