Dear Jeanne: This recipe is so easy to "throw together" for a potluck supper or a barbecue with friends when I need to take something sweet to share. Can it be revised to make it healthier?
Thank you. —Julie Lutz, D'Hanis, Texas
Dear Julie: Your original recipe is very sweet, and the revision I have made is sweet enough, but not overly so, and it's more cakelike.
I felt that the applesauce substitute was good for this recipe, because it does add some flavor and it goes well with the cinnamon, nuts and raisins.
I found this even easier to "throw together" than the original!
DELIGHT BARS
Bars:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 egg
3/4 cup salad oil
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup raisins or chopped dates
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons salad oil
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For bars, mix ingredients in order listed in a large bowl. Spread in a 9-by-13-inch greased pan. Bake at 325 F for 25 minutes. Mix glaze ingredients and pour over warm bars.
Cut into bars after cooling. Makes 24 bars.
LOW-FAT DELIGHT BARS
Bars:
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 egg
1/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/4 cup raisins
Glaze:
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons water
1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick spray; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix sugar, honey and egg until smooth. Add the oil and applesauce, and mix again.
3. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, and add to the applesauce mixture. Add the pecans and raisins, and thoroughly combine. Spread evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a sharp knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool slightly.
4. For the glaze, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla and enough water to make the glaze thin enough to drizzle. While bars are still warm, drizzle with glaze.
Makes 24 bars.
Each bar contains approximately: Original Recipe: 209 calories; 11 gm fat; 8 mg cholesterol; 78 mg sodium; 26 gm carbohydrates; 2 gm protein; 1 gm fiber. Revised Recipe: 124 calories; 4 gm fat; 8 mg cholesterol; 78 mg sodium; 22 gm carbohydrates; 1 gm protein; 1 gm fiber.
Jeanne Jones is a consultant on menu planning, recipes and new-product development for major hotels and spas. Send your recipe for revision to: Cook It Light, Deseret Morning News, P.O. Box 1212, La Jolla, CA 92038. Please include a stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope. © King Features Syndicate Inc.