Easy Applesauce Bars
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We are bringing on these awesome, old-fashioned Easy Applesauce Bars with a luscious cinnamon spiced cream cheese frosting recipe that you will absolutely love! These epic fall bar treats are so moist and have just the right amount of spice and applesauce.
Perfect for a party, get-together or an easy go-to after school snack. Watch out, they disappear fast!! Applesauce Zucchini Cake Bars {Salted Caramel Pecan Glaze} and this Cinnamon Applesauce Bread are a must too!
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These applesauce bars are perfect for the chillier seasons because they have the warm, comforting spices of ginger
This applesauce bar recipe is so easy to whip up and certainly flavorful. It’s a favorite heirloom applesauce bars recipe that is passed down from generation to generation! These kind of retro recipes are always keepers for life!
The cinnamon spiced frosting is super easy to make. For best results, your butter and cream cheese should be room temperature to get the creamy texture desired. You don’t have to use a mixer, but I like to use my mixer to get it extra creamy! The frosting is amazing and full of fall spice flavor!
Ingredients You Need
Applesauce Bars
- unsalted butter, melted
- brown sugar
- unsweetened applesauce
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- salt
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- ginger
Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting
- butter, softened
- cream cheese, softened
- cinnamon
- Optional: ginger
- Optional: nutmeg
- vanilla extract
- powdered sugar
Instructions How to Make Easy Applesauce Bars Recipe
Applesauce Bars
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment, lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a bowl, add melted butter, brown sugar, applesauce and vanilla together and mix well. Add flour, baking soda, salt, spices and stir to combine, without overmixing. Applesauce mixture will be thick.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread mixture evenly to edges of pan.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
Cinnamon Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a medium mixing bowl, add cream cheese and butter and mix until creamy with whisk or mixer. Add vanilla and spices and gradually add in confectioners’ sugar until fully combined and creamy.
- Spread frosting on bars and cut into squares and serve.
- One 8×8 pan uses 1/2 cup of applesauce, so if you double the recipe, double the amount and bake the bars in a 9×13 pan.
Add-Ins & Healthier Options
- Feel free to add in raisins or chopped walnuts to give them more texture!
- 1/2 cup of Quick oats can also be replaced with 1/2 cup of the flour, if you want them a little healthier as well.
- You can also substitute the spices with pumpkin pie spice or an apple pie spice if you desire.
Storing Applesauce Bars
- Room Temperature or Refrigerate: Store bars on the counter if they will be eaten in 1 to 2 days. If longer, wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days
- Freezing: These bars can also be wrapped tightly and frozen in individual bags or in a larger freezer container.
Making these bars can be a fun and rewarding experience for the whole family. So, grab the recipe, gather your ingredients, and get baking! Made from just a few simple ingredients, these easy applesauce bars are the perfect snack for the kiddos for after school treats.
You’ll love this easy applesauce bars recipe, especially touting that cinnamon cream cheese frosting on top for a luscious fall treat! Enjoy! Check out 45 Must-Try Best Apple Dessert Recipes for more apple recipes!
Wanting Easy Fall Desserts to Make?
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- Peanut Butter Banana Bars
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- Healthy Chunky Monkey Oatmeal Bars – Easy
- Heavenly Frosted Banana Bars
Easy Applesauce Bars
Ingredients
Applesauce Bars
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
Cinnamon Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting
- 3 tablespoons butter softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Optional: 1/8 teaspoon ginger
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Applesauce Bars
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment, lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a bowl, add melted butter, brown sugar, applesauce and vanilla together and mix well. Add flour, baking soda, salt, spices and stir to combine, without overmixing. Batter will be thick.
- Pour into prepared pan and spread mixture evenly to edges of pan.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
Cinnamon Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a medium mixing bowl, add cream cheese and butter and mix until creamy with whisk or mixer. Add vanilla and spices and gradually add in powdered sugar until fully combined and creamy.
- Spread frosting on bars and cut into squares and serve.
Notes
