Old Fashioned Applesauce Bars

These old fashioned applesauce bars are a kid approved treat that’s free of processed sugar and packed with minerals and fiber. Super easy to make and egg free! (A bonus for those with allergies.)

Every now and again, I like to go through our pantry and gather up what needs to be used up before the next season of harvest. We currently have an over abundance of applesauce. My children don’t love to eat applesauce plain and therefore we are more slow to go through what we’ve preserved. This old fashioned applesauce bar recipe is super simple to make and even better to eat.

Why bake with applesauce?

It can be hard to find healthy recipes that retain moisture or replace ingredients in recipes without sacrificing something like sweetness. Unsweetened applesauce acts as a fat while offering a subtle sweetness that’s low in sugar and high in fiber. We love making these applesauce bars with it as well as baked oatmeal.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
• 3/4 cup maple syrup
• 2.5 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1.5 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups applesauce

Making old fashioned applesauce bars

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl combine your dry ingredients. 2.5 cups of flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 1.5 tsp baking soda, and 2 tsp cinnamon.

In a separate bowl combined the melted coconut oil with 3/4 cup maple syrup. Once mixed add the remaining wet ingredients: 1.5 tsp vanilla and 2 cups of applesauce. Slowly add your dry ingredients and combine well. At this stage it will look like a cross between a very thick batter or a very sticky dough.

Finally, spread the mix into a well greased 9×13 pan and back for 20-25 minutes.

How to serve and store applesauce bars

This old fashioned applesauce bar recipe is the perfect cross between a dessert or a quick bread which means its super versatile in how to pair it as well. Could easily be served as a dessert with a simple cream cheese frosting or be served at brunch warmed with some good grass fed butter.

Every time I make these applesauce bars the pan barely cools before they are gone; but should you have any left over they can be stored at room temp for a few days, longer in the fridge or freezer.

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