This is a very simple recipe that my mother used to make for us. I am quite sure she got it from Betty Crocker or some other 70’s icon of baking. What is important is that of all the desserts we ever ate this was my favorite. As I have written before, we didn’t eat a lot of sweets or have dessert frequently. I suppose that is why I loved this one so much. My mom generally made it during the fall in the afternoon, so it would be waiting for us when we got off the bus from school. Because it was always a surprise and also because of the thrill of something sweet in the middle of the day, I was filled with joy when I would walk through the home and smell the aroma. It made me feel very loved, and to this day, it transports me back to a simpler time. I associate it with fall, corduroy, bell-bottoms, leaves, and chilly nights.

Some people top these with a cinnamon-sugar crumble or a glaze, but I prefer to serve them the way my mom did-with a simple dusting of vanilla-infused powdered sugar.

I make it for my children the same way – always for after school and never with advance notice. But I am not sure if they love it as much as I do.

You will need:

• 1cup, all purpose flour
• 1tsp baking powder
• ¹⁄₄ tsp salt
• 1tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• ¹⁄₄ cup melted unsalted butter
• ¹⁄₂ brown sugar, packed
• ¹⁄₂ cup white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 small apples, peeled and chopped

Steps:

1. set oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 9-inch baking dish with butter or shortening.
2. In a bowl mix together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon & nutmeg.
3. In a large bowl mix together melted butter with 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup white sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth and well combined.
4. Blend in the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Gently stir in chopped apples.
5. Spread the mixture into prepared baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until it tests done.
6. Cool in the pan, then cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar.