Apple Orchard Bars

These are very good, and very easy - I got the recipe from a Hannah Swenson mystery by JoAnn Fluke - I don't know which one, one of the earlier ones. The first in the series is Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder - good, fun, light mysteries with lots of recipes!

Anita and Erin really liked these, and Nevin and Ben gave them a thumbs up, too!

Apple Orchard Bars

Preheat oven to 375

1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
2 beaten eggs
1 cup peeled and chopped apples (I used two med. Granny Smith, and it was closer and 1 1/2-3/4 cup)
1/2 cup rolled oats (oatmeal, but not instant!)
2 cups flaked coconut
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Melt butter, add the sugars and stir. Add baking soda, salt, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon and beaten eggs. Mix well. Add chopped apple, oats and 1 1/2 cup coconut (reserve 1/2 cup for topping). Add the flour and mix thoroughly.

Grease a 9x13 cake pan. Spoon the dough in and smooth with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup coconut evenly on top.

Bake 375 for 25-30 minutes, or until slightly browned on top.

Let cool and cut into bars like brownies.