Autumn Delight: Applesauce Walnut Bars with Crunchy Streusel
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s a magical quality to autumn that invites us to gather in the kitchen and create heartwarming treats. One of my family's all-time favorites is this delightful recipe for Applesauce Walnut Bars. These moist, cake-like squares capture the essence of fall with every bite, offering a delightful blend of homemade applesauce, rich brown sugar, and aromatic spices like cinnamon and allspice, beautifully complemented by the crunch of toasted walnuts and sweet pops of golden raisins. Topped with a crispy streusel that adds both texture and flavor, these bars not only evoke the spirit of this cozy season but also make for a comforting treat any time of day. Whether served as an after-school snack for the kids with some milk or paired with a warm cup of mulled cider for the adults, these squares are a celebration of autumn goodness. Gather your loved ones and enjoy these incredible bars that are sure to become a cherished piece of your fall traditions.
N/A
Servings
75
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsweetened applesauce
1 cup (none)
light-brown sugar
3/4 cup (packed)
vegetable oil
1/2 cup (none)
1% low-fat milk
1/4 cup (none)
large eggs
2 (beaten)
baking powder
1 teaspoon (none)
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (none)
allspice
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon (none)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (none)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups (none)
chopped walnuts
1 cup (toasted)
moist golden raisins
1/2 cup (optional)
light-brown sugar (for streusel)
1 1/4 cups (packed)
all-purpose flour (for streusel)
3/4 cup (none)
cold butter
1/2 cup (cut into pieces)
ground cinnamon (for streusel)
2 teaspoons (none)
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (none)
walnuts (for streusel)
1 cup (coarsely chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Line a 15.5 x 10.5 inch jelly-roll pan with aluminum foil, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal. Grease the foil with a little vegetable oil or margarine.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the unsweetened applesauce, light-brown sugar, vegetable oil, low-fat milk, eggs, baking powder, ground cinnamon, allspice, cloves, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. Mix on medium speed until well blended.
4
Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5
Gently fold in the toasted walnuts and optional golden raisins, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6
Pour the batter into the prepared jelly-roll pan, spreading it evenly.
7
For the streusel topping, combine the packed light-brown sugar, all-purpose flour, cold butter (cut into small pieces), ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and chopped walnuts in a separate large mixing bowl. Use a fork to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
8
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter in the pan.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10
Once done, remove from the oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before transferring it to the refrigerator for 2 hours to firm up for easy cutting.
11
When ready to serve, lift the bars out of the pan using the foil overhang, and cut into squares. Discard the foil.
12
Enjoy these delightful bars with coffee, tea, or mulled cider. They are especially delicious with a scoop of ice cream or a splash of warmed brandy.
13
For a different presentation, dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.
Nutrition Information
2.79g
Fat
10.58g
Carbs
1.17g
Protein
0.50g
Fiber
5g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of these bars?
These bars offer a delightful blend of applesauce, rich brown sugar, and aromatic spices like cinnamon and allspice, complemented by toasted walnuts.
What size pan is required for this recipe?
You should use a 15.5 x 10.5 inch jelly-roll pan for these bars.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Line the pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal, and grease the foil with vegetable oil or margarine.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What kind of applesauce is used in these bars?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce.
Which ingredients are mixed on medium speed first?
Combine the applesauce, light-brown sugar, vegetable oil, milk, eggs, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, vanilla, baking soda, and salt.
How should the flour be incorporated into the batter?
Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the all-purpose flour gradually, mixing only until just combined to avoid overmixing.
Should the walnuts in the batter be prepared in any specific way?
Yes, the recipe specifies that the walnuts added to the batter should be toasted.
Are raisins required for this recipe?
No, the half cup of moist golden raisins is listed as an optional ingredient.
What ingredients are needed for the streusel topping?
The streusel consists of packed light-brown sugar, all-purpose flour, cold butter, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and coarsely chopped walnuts.
How should the butter be prepared for the streusel?
The half cup of butter should be cold and cut into small pieces before mixing.
What is the best way to mix the streusel ingredients?
Use a fork to mix the streusel ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
How is the streusel applied to the bars?
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter once it has been spread into the prepared pan.
How long do the bars need to bake?
Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
How do I know when the bars are finished baking?
The bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean.
How long should the bars cool in the pan?
Once removed from the oven, let them cool in the pan on a wire rack for approximately 10 minutes.
Why do the bars need to be refrigerated before cutting?
Refrigerating them for 2 hours allows the bars to firm up, ensuring they are easy to cut into clean squares.
How do I remove the bars from the pan after chilling?
Use the aluminum foil overhang to lift the bars out of the pan, then peel away and discard the foil.
What is a recommended snack pairing for children?
These bars are ideal as an after-school snack when served with a glass of milk.
What are some beverage pairing ideas for adults?
They pair beautifully with coffee, tea, mulled cider, or even a splash of warmed brandy.
Can I serve these bars as a more indulgent dessert?
Yes, they are especially delicious when served warm with a scoop of ice cream.
How can I garnish these bars for a different presentation?
You can dust the squares with confectioners' sugar just before serving.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 75 calories.
What is the fat content per bar?
Each bar contains about 2.79 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a single bar?
There are 10.58 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of these bars?
Each serving provides 1.17 grams of protein.
How much fiber is in each serving?
Each bar contains 0.50 grams of dietary fiber.
How many total ingredients are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a total of 21 ingredients including the optional raisins and the streusel components.
What spices are used specifically in the streusel?
The streusel topping is flavored with ground cinnamon and nutmeg.
What makes this a good autumn recipe?
The combination of applesauce, walnuts, and warm spices like cloves and allspice captures the essence of the fall season.