Mullen’s Applesauce Bars

By: DMV Foodie Piggies

Ingredients

1/3 Cup of  cinnamon butter

1/2 Cup of cane sugar

1/2 Cup of Mullen’s Applesauce

1.5 Tsps of vanilla bean paste

1 Cup of flour

1/2 Tsp of baking soda

1 Tbs of coarse salt

1 Tsp of cinnamon 

1/4 Tsp of ginger

1/2 Tsp of nutmeg

Vanilla Cream Icing

1/4 Cup of unsalted butter

1 1/2 Cup of confectioner’s sugar

1/2 Tsp of vanilla extract

2 Tbs of milk

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a bowl, add wet ingredients: melted butter, brown sugar, Mullen’s Applesauce, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Add flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Stir to combine.
• Pour into 8×8 pan and use a spatula to spread evenly to the edges. The batter will be thick.
• Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean (or with crumbs, not batter). Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Vanilla Cream Icing

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and stir frequently. Butter will begin to foam and boil. After 3 to 4 minutes you will see brown flecks appear in the bottom of the pan. Continue to stir until butter is golden and flecks are a medium brown color. Watch closely, butter will brown quickly. Process will take about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Remove the butter from heat and pour into a small bowl. Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes, or allow to set until butter is room temperature.
• Whisk confectioner’s sugar in a bowl. Add cooled butter, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add more milk if needed, 1 tablespoon at a time until desired texture is reached.
• Pour icing into bars. Use a knife to spread evenly over bars. Allow icing to set before cutting into bars.