Makeover Oatmeal Brownie Bars Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup sugar blend
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• FROSTING:
• 1/3 cup butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 1/4 cup fat-free milk
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar and sugar blend until well blended. Beat in the eggs, buttermilk, applesauce and vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to butter mixture and mix well. Beat in walnuts.
• Spread batter into a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
• For frosting, in a small saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in cocoa and milk until blended. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; whisk in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Immediately spread over bars. Let stand until frosting is set. Cut into squares. Yield: 2 dozen.

Makeover Oatmeal Brownie Bars published in Healthy Cooking April/May 2008, p11