The Apple Bar Saga

Sometimes you have the best intentions for something, and then out of left field, something comes and ruins your plans.

That happened to me on Monday.

Let me start by saying we have two very sweet dogs. Duke, our black lab, whose always been the crazier of the two, loves to lick everything in sight, but is the first to cuddle and snuggle if given the chance. Kata, our golden retriever, is a bit older than Duke, but acts about 85. We call her Grandma, as she sometimes has a crotchety attitude, and would just rather be left alone. At the same time, she is very obedient and just an all around great dog.

Except for her sweet tooth.

I can now count two times where she has "stolen" something off the counter or stove. Way back when my husband and I were just dating and living in a one bedroom apartment she ate four frozen chicken breasts off the counter that we were thawing. You've got to give her credit though, she always carefully removes the plastic wrap covering it, because of course she knows she can't eat that.

So, when the little man and I came home from a SHORT walk to the post office and back (and by short, I mean 3 blocks), and I noticed plastic wrap on the kitchen floor, my heart dropped.

This is what I found:

Yep, she ate the whole pan. I will not even tell you how pissed I was. But, then I look in the corner and there she is hiding, cowering, eyes closed, just scared beyond belief. Needless, to say she knew what she did and was sent to spend the rest of the day in the laundry room.

But, after all that drama we did have a few pieces to eat and they were great! You need to make this recipe if you have a lot of apples to use up. You can easily cut these into bars and freeze half the pan, as they taste great even a month later.

But, keep your dogs away, if they like sweets.

Apple Bars

2 1/2 c. sifted flour

1 T. sugar

1 t. salt

1 c. Crisco

1 egg, separated

milk

5 c. peeled, sliced apples

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 t. cinnamon

2/3 c. crushed corn flakes

Sift together flour, sugar and salt. Cut in Crisco. Put egg in cup and beat. Add enough milk to make 2/3 cup. Add to flour mixture and mix just enough so dough shapes into 2 balls. May refrigerate if needed. Roll out on floured board. Transfer first layer to a 9x13 baking sheet. Cover with corn flakes, then apples, then sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Roll out other crust and place over apples. Pinch edges together. Beat egg white until stiff and brush over the crust. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes. Drizzle glaze on top (mix 1 c. powdered sugar with 2 T. lemon juice). Serves 16-20 and freezes well!