Improv Cooking Challenge-Applezini Dream Bars

The ingredients that our hostess Kristen from Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker gave for the Improv Challenge for September were Zucchini and Brown Sugar.

Zucchini has been used in many baking recipes such as zucchini bread, cake and cookies.  I wanted to bake something a little different so combined a couple of recipes to make Applezini Dream Bars.  This bar cookie has a flour/brown sugar crust with an apple/zucchini topping.

If the zucchini is peeled, it will pretty much disappear in the apples.  I don’t peel it, but you may want to if feeding picky eaters.   If the zucchini is large, remove the seeded areas.  For the apple use a good baking apple.   I used Honey Crisp apples.

I used Apple Pie Spice for seasoning, and I make my own.  Cinnamon can be used instead.

I took these to my aunt’s 90th birthday potluck where they were very well received.  Even though I did not peel the zucchini, no one knew what it was until I told them.

Applezini Dream Bars
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 c. butter or regular margarine
2 c. apple, peeled, cored, and diced into 1/4 inch dice (about 2 large)
2 c. zucchini diced into 1/4-inch dice (about 3 medium)
1/4 c. lemon juice
1 t. apple pie spice or cinnamon
1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
4 eggs, at room temperature

In a medium bowl combine flour and brown sugar.  Stir to mix well.  Cut in butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.  Pat mixture into the bottom of a foil-lined 9x13-inch baking pan.  Bake at 300 degrees 10 minutes.  Set aside to cool slightly.  Meanwhile in a large bowl combine apples, zucchini, lemon juice, apple pie spice, sugar, flour and salt.  Stir to mix well.  In a small bowl, beat eggs until thick and lemon colored.  Pour eggs over the apple/zucchini mixture and blend well.  Spread over the baked crust.  Bake at 350 degrees about 50 to 60 minutes or until well set.  Let cool.  Cut into bars.  Makes about 36 bars.  Store, covered, in refrigerator because of the high concentration of egg.  These may also be cut into larger squares and topped with whipped cream or whipped topping to serve as a dessert.  Would make 12 to 15 servings.

Oatmeal and raisins are the Improv ingredients for October.  Gather up any recipes that include these and come join in the fun.  You can find all the details on Kristen's Improv Page.