APPLE-WALNUT BARS

APPLE-WALNUT BARS image

Yield 15 bars

Number Of Ingredients 11

32 graham cracker squares
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup dried apples
1/2 cup sugar
2 large egg whites
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, chopped and toasted (see Tip)
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
Tip: To toast chopped walnuts: Place in a small dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Steps:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Coat an 8-by-12-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Process graham crackers and cinnamon in a food processor until you have fine crumbs. Leaving about 1/2 cup in the workbowl, transfer the crumbs to another container. Add apples to the workbowl and process until coarsely chopped. Combine sugar, egg whites, egg, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on high speed until thick, about 3 minutes. Fold in the apple mixture and walnuts just until combined. Transfer batter to the prepared baking dish; smooth the top with a wet rubber spatula. Bake until the top feels dry and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Dust lightly with confectioners' sugar and cut into 15 bars.