CHOCOLATE APPLESAUCE BARS

Ingredients
1/2 cup shortening
2 sugars (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate
1 cup sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup applesauce
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preparation
Heat oven to 350F. Heat shortening and chocolate over low heat until melted; remove from heat.
Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread in greased and floured baking pan, 9x9x2 inches.
Bake until top springs back when touched, 35 to 40 minutes. Cut into bars, 2x1 inch, while warm. About 3 dozen.

CANDIED APPLE BARS

Ingredients
5 tart Ontario Apples (Idared or Spy), peeled, cored and chopped
Pinch cinnamon
1 3/4 cups (425 ml) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) large-flake rolled oats, traditional style
3/4 cup (175 ml) each packed brown sugar and butter
1/3 tsp (2 ml) each salt and baking soda
1 pkg (397 g) vanilla caramels, melted

Preparation
In bowl, toss apples with cinnamon and 1/4 cup (50 ml) of the flour; set aside.
In separate bowl, stir together remaining flour, oats and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly.
Stir in salt and baking soda. Set aside 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) of the mixture.
Press remaining crumb mixture firmly into ungreased 13x9 in. (34x22 cm) pan; spread apple mixture on top.
Drizzle with melted caramels; sprinkle with reserved crumbs and pat down.
Bake in 400F (200C) oven 25 to 30 min. or until golden. Cut into bars and let cool in pan.
Remove and store in refrigerator in airtight container, for several days. Makes 32 bars.
Preparation time: 15 min. Baking time: 25 min