Apple-Raisin Bars

I think it's kind of funny how growing up I never wanted to mix my sweet stuff with fruit or nuts.  Like when offered a raisin-oatmeal cookie or a chocolate chip...I'd always go for the chocolate.  Well, maybe that's not a good example because I still would.  Let's see...how about a carrot cake or brownies with nuts?  But now I know that they're good for me and I figure, "Hey, if I'm gonna eat some sweets, why not put something good in there too?!"

So, when I came across this recipe awhile back I had to try it out.  They were AMAZING!  

Apple-Raisin Bars

Makes: 12 bars Prep: 15 minutes 
Bake: 35 minutes 

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups packed light-brown       sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or       margarine, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/2 cups diced Golden       Delicious apples 

3/4 cup raisins

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Liberally coat a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

2. In a medium-size bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, blend together sugar, eggs, butter and vanilla for 3 minutes or until smooth.

4. Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour mixture; mix for 
2 minutes or until just incorporated. Stir in diced apples and raisins and spread into prepared pan.

5. Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before cutting into bars and serving.

Side notes:

- I tried 1 cup brown sugar the second time but they weren't as good.  I might try 1 1/2 cups next time.

- Also, I used whatever apples I had on hand.

Cheap Eats

So, my friend Jennie told me about this amazing deal at Rest.aurant.com. Usually you can get a $25 gift certificate to X-restaurant for about 10 bucks. Not a bad deal in itself. Well, she was reading on someone elses blog (sorry I don't know the blog) about how if you enter the code SAVE (not sure how long this will work) in the discount code area you'll save an additional 70%!

Let me break it down even further...

I bought 8 gift cards to various restaurants all worth $25 a piece but were sold for $10. Before the SAVE code was applied I would have spent $80, saving me about $120. BUT...take 70% off $80 and you get a whopping $24!!!! That's $3 per $25 gift certificate.

Now, I did read some of the terms and conditions. They weren't too bad but, if you buy multiple certificates, you may not be able to use more than one per visit, and they may require dine in vs. carry out.

All-in-all, a pretty cheap eat!