Mila's Cranberry Apple Bars
I spent a whole bunch of time trying to figure out a name for the concoction I'm posting below. I even asked all of the people who tried it when I served them at a get-together for ideas. Nobody could figure out a good way to describe the beautiful mess that happened when I wanted to use some Granny Smith apples we had sitting around along with some cranberries, white chocolate, and walnuts.
But then I ate a third piece and I knew. I knew it has to be named after Mila. These bars, which start with a cookie base but then head into a very different direction, are sour but sweet, messy but delightful, and unexpected yet perfect. Those descriptors also work for a girl named Mila.
They're so good.
Mila's Cranberry Apple Bars
11/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 small Granny Smith apple, finely chopped
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium mixing owl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, use a mixer to combine the brown sugar and butter until creamy. Add the vanilla and egg. Mix some more.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the flour/brown sugar fun while mixing on medium speed. Once everything is well mixed, stir in the white chocolate chips and walnuts.
5. Spray nonstick spray in a 13x9" baking pan (I prefer glass). Then spread out the dough all across the bottom of the pan. It's easy if you just drop it all in, dampen your hands with water, and then press the dough out flat.
6. Top the cookie base with the chopped Granny Smith apples and cranberries. Then drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over top.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.
8. Allow to cool completely before cutting. There's no good way to keep them from being gooey and messy, but cooling does help.
9. Enjoy!
Recipe
Reader Comments (1)
I use granny smiths for apple pies. The rest maybe a cookie.