Recipes Tuesday - Apples for Alll

Can you catch the theme for this week??

Follow the links for the original recipes on http://www.allrecipes.com/

Sarah's Applesauce
4 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1.In a saucepan, combine apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Allow to cool, then mash with a fork or potato masher.
 
Notes from me:  I reduce the amount of water to about 1/4 - 1/2 cup as I like a thicker sauce.  I also cook for a longer peirod of low, not sure if this helps the flavors meld or not.  I also run the cooked apples through the blender or food processor so for a smooth sauce.  I also don't measure my cinnamon..I just go by smell :)
 
 
Bonus Recipes - I have not tried this yet but am going to tomorrow with the abundance of applesauce I have
 
Applesauce Bars
INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup applesauce
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons margarine, melted
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

2.In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar and egg until smooth. Stir in applesauce. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice; stir into the applesauce mixture until well blended. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

3.Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are golden. Cool in the pan over a wire rack.

4.In a small bowl, mix together the confectioners' sugar and margarine. Stir in vanilla and milk until smooth. Spread over cooled bars before cutting into squares.