---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05
 
      Title: Applesauce, Date and Raisin Squares
 Categories: Cookies
      Yield: 16 Cookies
 
      1 c  Plus 3 tbsp. all-purpose
           - flour; unsifted
    1/2 ts Baking powder
    1/4 ts Salt
      1 ts Ground cinnamon
      1 ts Nutmeg; freshly grated
    1/2 ts Ground ginger
    1/4 ts Ground allspice
    1/3 c  Raisins
      6 tb Unsalted butter and
      1 tb Solid shortening; melted
           - together and cooled
    3/4 c  Dark brown sugar; packed
      2    Extra-large eggs
      2 ts Vanilla extract
    1/2 c  Applesauce
    1/3 c  Pitted dates; coarse chopped
           Confectioners' sugar (opt'l)
 
    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Film the inside of a 9-by-9-by-2-inch
  baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
    Stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger
  and allspice in a large mixing bowl. Toss the raisins with 1 tsp. of the
  flour mixture and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the
  butter-shortening mixture, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and
  applesauce. Pour the liquid ingredients over the flour mixture, add the
  raisins and dates, and stir to form a batter.
    Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.  Bake in the preheated oven for
  22 to 24 min., or until set. Place on a cooling rack and cool completely.
  Cut into 16 squares. For serving, sift a little confectioners' sugar over
  the top of the squares, if you wish. (Makes
       16    bar cookies)
    "Serve these cake-like bars very fresh, with warm cider or strong
  coffee."
    (Washington Post, 8/31/95; Lisa Yockelson) From: Gizmowidge
 
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