TWD: Applesauce spice bars

For this week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe, Karen of Something Sweet by Karen chose the Applesauce spice bars from pages 117 & 118 of Baking from My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan.

For a lady like me who is desperately wishing for autumn, this week's recipe was a welcome reminder of things to come! I seriously love all things cool-weather related. There is nothing more comforting than smells of cinnamon & spices--you would not believe how many fall scented candles I have! (and yes...candles have been another of my compulsive shopping fazes.)

Well, this is a lot better than a candle, and this recipe is very very easy! So moist, full of spices, apple chunks, plump raisins, and pecans, these bars could work for breakfast...and I think I'm going to try them in muffin form! I think the name is a bit of a misnomer though...I called them "caramel apple spice bars" when I took them into work b/c applesauce is not nearly the predominant ingredient. The glaze is really good, but I think they would also be great (again as muffins) w/a streusel topping. yum...

These bars went a lot better for me than the brownies from last week, and they reminded me of my favorite season which is right around the corner! (my fingers also smelled like cinnamon & allspice all the next day which is WONDERFUL!)

Be sure to check out Karen's blog (or buy the awesome book!) for the recipe, and also check out the TWD site for the blog real to see how other bakers did!

*sorry for the bad pictures...the lighting in my kitchen is AWFUL