Applesauce Chocolate Chip Bars

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking oil spray, or line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on 2 sides for easy release after baking.

Combine the shortening, brown sugar and egg in a mixing bowl until well incorporated, then add the applesauce and mix well.

Combine 1/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon and the 3/4 teaspoon of sugar in a small bowl.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and the nutmeg on a piece of wax paper; add to the shortening mixture. Add the chocolate chips and nuts, stirring to mix well.

Pour the batter in the prepared pan and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake for 30 minutes, until browned. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool, then run a knife around the edges and cut into bars. If using the parchment paper, run a knife along the 2 non-papered sides, then lift the slab onto a cutting board and let cool. Cut into bars.

Source: “The Washington Post” S(URL): “http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2008/10/15/applesauce-choc late-chip-bars/” Copyright: “October 15, 2008” Yield: “16 bars” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 138 Calories; 4g Fat (24.8% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 24g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 27mg Cholesterol; 119mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.

NOTES : The bars freeze well, for up to 1 month; cut the cooled bars and wrap individually.

Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0