Pippin Apple Bars

Pippin Apple Bars

We're still using up our apples right off the backyard tree. This recipe is easy and was always a crowd pleaser when we catered. Fresh off a test run (our work)..they gave us a thumbs up! Now here's what you need to create it:

The Apple Cake

3 large or extra large eggs, room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup canola oil

2 cups AP, unbleached if you have it flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup rough chopped walnuts

4 cups (about 6-7) green apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced. We used a mandoline to slice ours.

**a 13x9x2 pan or 2 round cake pans, greased with butter** Evenly layer the apples over the buttered pan.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Using a mixer, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the sugar and continue beating. Next add the oil and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Add in the walnuts. Now take your baking pan, layered with apples and drizzle the batter as evenly over the top as possible. Gently smooth batter over any uncoated apples. Place in preheated oven for 40 minutes. The top will be a rich golden brown color. Cool...before....frosting...or else (and it won't be pretty)!

Please excuse this blurry photo shot at 7:00 am on an overcast morning in Ventura.

The Frosting:

12 ounces cream cheese (1 and 1/2 8-ounce packages) room temperature cream cheese

4 ounces butter (1/2 stick) room temperature

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

We like to put all the frosting ingredients in our food processor, give it a whirl and bingo it's all ready quick-as-a-wink. We realize you may not own some of the equipment we use, but you can still make the frosting with a mixer.

We garnished our bars with candied walnut pieces and a light dash of cinnamon placed in a little strainer for better control. To candy a handful of walnuts, we added 2 tablespoons butter to a small saute pan and 3 tablespoons sugar. Over medium heat we melted the butter and sugar and let it continue cooking until a light golden brown. Then we tossed in the walnuts to coat. Next we dropped the candied walnuts into 3 tablespoons sugar mixed with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Next we carefully sliced the candied nuts into bite size pieces and garnished our bars.

There is another, more simple garnish, a dusting of finely chopped walnuts works just as well. Bon Appetit!