Karen of Something Sweet by Karen chose this week's TWD recipe, Applesauce Spice Bars. I first made these last fall to bring on a family trip to the lake, and I made the recipe as written, including the glaze. My memory from that trip is a little fuzzy -- I remember thinking the applesauce bars were very good, but didn't travel particularly well glazed. Fast forward ten months -- Karen picked the applesauce bars for TWD, and I decided to make them for another family trip. I decided not to glaze them this time because of that nagging recollection of a Tupperware container full of sticky, apple-y, spicy mess.
So I made the bars, sans glaze, before we left for vacation -- they're easy to make and did not unleash any kitchen drama. They even baked all the way through, which is by no means a sure thing for me when I bake bars of any kind. I brought them to the beach, where I prettied them up for a photo shoot.
There are lots of people taking pictures of all kinds of things at the beach, but I was the only one taking pictures of baked goods. I wanted to yell "What?! Haven't you ever seen anyone photographing applesauce bars on the dunes before?" But I was pretty sure I knew the answer. Kayte asked via Twitter if it was like a Sports Illustrated swimsuit shoot. Having never participated in such an event, I can't be sure -- but I can tell you that I did not tell my applesauce bars to "work it, baby," or assure them that they are way hotter than my other desserts, and at no point did the applesauce bars throw a diva tantrum.
We all enjoyed these bars. When I first tried them (last fall) I was a little surprised by the texture -- very cake-like, when I was expecting something more like an apple-spiced blondie. It's a little like when you take a sip of what you think is water, but it's actually milk (or maybe it would be more precise to say it's like when you take a sip of what you think is water, but it's actually ice chips). Not bad, just not what I was expecting. But once I got over that, I thoroughly enjoyed the light texture and lightly spiced flavor of these bars. Yet another winner from the great Dorie Greenspan! Thanks for the delicious pick, Karen!
30 comments:
Oooh, nice background! and your bars look pretty darned good too :)
Can you imagine what your picture would be like if the bars did "work it"? Wow, boggles the mind...
I had the exact same problem with my post; in fact I think we posted nearly at the same time. Just took awhile to let go of the one sentence thing and kick it back in gear (although I never really got out of low gear on my post). I'm going to have to bring back OSBP regularly.
The "bars" were tasty but left me with a nagging desire for an apple blondie! Will have to happen at some point.
I loved everyone's one sentence blogging last week, I feel like I got through more blogs faster, and well, I did, but some people just need the little bit longer posts--like you Cathy--because you always crack me up--the whole "work it, baby" thing and such. Love it!
Ciao Cathy !! I love so much your 'long' posts I would miss them !!! Nice bathing applesauce bar !
I made these last fall and loved them!
Did your beach shoot have a wind machine? I feel like there are a lot of giant fans in SI swimsuit shoots, to keep all the long flowing blond hair wispy and airborne.
You did a great job, though, with or without a fan!
What a great post!
Your applespice bars sure knew how to work it!
I can just see you on your beach photo shoot! I'm glad that they didn't end up a sticky mess this time because sticky + sandy = not fun.
Did your bars get sandy? I always have a hard time eating at the beach. It's kind of like sex on the beach, it really doesn't work out so well in real life, darn sand.
I, too, thought these were more cake-y than bar-y, but liked them anyway.
I thought the texture was going to be different too, but that did not stop be from shoving one in my mouth! I could not help it. It smelled so good and tasted like heaven. Darn those innocent looking disguised calories. Hope you had fun on the beach!
too funny, Girl!!! Love the ocean in the background. Better than Sports Illustrated. Can we have Cakes Illustrated???
That bar looks like its enjoying the beach. Great setting for your photo shoot!
Now I want one of these at the beach too!
The nice background in your picture was totally worth any strange looks you may have received from beach-goers! And I'm with you - I was expecting a different texture, but they were good nonetheless!
I think your nude applesauce spice bar looks splendid in the dunes!
Wow... what scenery! How nice to be able to get away to the beach! I'm sure the "bars" made a nice beach treat... yes, they were more like a cake. Very good though, were they not? Hope everyone enjoyed themselves AND the bars! They look fantastic!
That's it, that's the ticket... why don't you give us a novel just once in a while... for example, at Christmas or for Thanksgiving, ya know! But if is better you write short and happy... than not at all, I promise.
Oh yeah, your bars are workin' it, baby! Fab pictures, hilarious commentary...business as usual at Chez Tortefeasor I see!
Great beach pics--I need to do more of that! The bars look great--they totally worked it! ;-)
1) I freakin love reading your posts, they are always hilarious! LOL
2) I agree about the texture, I think because the name of the recipe has "bars" in it, we expect brownies or cookies :P
3) I think these were fabulous, but could see how the glaze would definitely not travel well. Maybe you could have made the glaze and put it in a sealed container and glazed them when you got there :)
Hey not sure if you heard yet, but I started a discussion list for food bloggers! It's gaining momentum and I'd love it if you joined us (if you haven't already!)! All food bloggers are welcome, so if you know anyone else who would like ot join please pass it along! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/foodblogs/
Now you've done it. The phrase "apple-spiced blondie" is stuck in my mind and I'm going to be searching for a good recipe all morning! ;-)
I love the story of your photo shoot at the beach.
I'm just glad you didn't have the bars dressed in a bikini for the photo shoot.
You didn't even need to tell them - they're definitely working it, and no diva tantrums to be seen! Beautiful job!
Oh yes, I've had some serious problems getting posts written this week since one-sentence blogging concluded. But you're right, no one is forcing us to write long posts so we can keep things fairly brief and not need to feel overwhelmed :) Your bar looks amazing and that background makes me very jealous of your week at the beach. I always feel awkward when I photograph food and people are watching so I salute you for a beach photo shoot!
Love, absolutely love that photo with the beach in the background. Very fun. Your bars look light and fluffy in the middle, think I will have to try to get that next time as mine were rather dense. I loved the comment about lots of people taking lots of different photos at the beach but none of the others taking photos of baked goods...LOL...I can just hear the stories your kids are going to tell around the table remembering these things!
I love that you took photos of them at the beach. That is dedicated. I had somewhat the same reaction. Not what I was expecting but delightful nonetheless.
Oh, heck. I just did a one-sentence post for it.
Your applesauce bars worked it! I mean they're nekkid. :P It looks great. If I do make them again, it will be without the glaze too. They don't travel well with it.
Those are some foxy applesauce bars! I too expected something more blondie-ish, but I wasn't disappointed.
Great picture! I've been looking forward to it since reading your tweets about the photoshoot at the beach. =) Glad you all enjoyed these. I'm with Nancy on the idea that we need to come up with a more blondie-like recipe.
Hi...
Thank you for sharing such a nice information. I would love this item. I am giving a party to my friends this weekend at my farmhouse. I was wondering about some new item to treat my friends with. I will surely try this and let you know.
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