Wild Rice Applesauce Bars

By pattie_d

Ingredients

• 2 cups well cooked wild rice
• 1/3 cups applesauce
• 1 cup buttermilk, divided
• 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 6 egg whites
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• Powdered sugar (optional)
• Baked Rice rice and fruit sauce bar Vanilla flavored bar

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Grease bottom only of 15 X10 X 1-inch baking pan.
Combine wild rice, applesauce and 1/2 cup buttermilk in medium bowl; mix well.
Set aside.

Combine shortening, brown sugar, egg whites and vanilla in large bowl; beat with electric mixer on high speed 5 minutes or until smooth and creamy.
Add remaining 1/2 cup buttermilk; beat on low speed until well blended.

Add flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; beat on low speed until well blended.
Stir in wild rice mixture and nuts.
Spread in prepared pan.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Cool completely.
Cut into bars.
Store in airtight containers.