ZUCCHINI BARS WITH CARAMEL FROSTING

ZUCCHINI BARS WITH CARAMEL FROSTING image

Yield 20-24 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup applesauce (can be substituted for another 1/4 cup oil)
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tsp almond extract (can substitute vanilla as well)
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves or ginger
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1-1/2 - 2 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional
Cooking Spray
CARAMEL FROSTING
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-1/2 to 2 cups confectioner's sugar

Steps:

Spray 13in. x 9in. x 2in. baking dish with cooking spray. In mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil, orange juice and extract. Combine dry ingredients; add to the egg mixture and mix well. Add zucchini and mix well. Add chopped nuts (opt). Pour into greased baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool. For frosting, combine brown sugar, butter and milk in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to lukewarm. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until frosting reaches spreading consistency. Frost bars.