#2762 - Applesauce Bars

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup Crisco shortening
1/2 cup raisins
2/3 cup Domino's dark brown sugar (packed)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup plain applesauce
1 egg
Frosting: 3 TBSP softened butter; 1 1/2 cups Domino's powdered sugar; 1 tsp. vanilla; milk if necessary (1 tsp. at a time)

In a saucepan add the raisins--cover them with water, bring to a boil, cook them for 5 minutes, then drain them and set them aside. In a mixer add Crisco and brown sugar--beat. Add egg--beat. Add baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice--beat. Add applesauce--beat. Slowly add flour--beat. Remove bowl from mixer--add drained raisins--stir until mixed. Spread mixture into a greased 9 x 13 cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes--test with a toothpick for doneness. Cool completely. Frosting: in a saucepan add butter--cook/stir on low heat until butter just starts to brown. Remove from heat--add powdered sugar and vanilla--stir quickly until smooth. Add 1 tsp. milk at a time if necessary and beat with a spoon until spreading consistency. Spread frosting over the cooled bar mixture. Cut into bars or squares.