Vegan Butterscotch Apple-Walnut Squares

ByElizabeth

1.  Wisk together in a large bowl until creamy, 2/3 cup Agave nectar and 1/3 cut canola or walnut oil.

2.  Pulverize (in a blender or mini-food processor is easier than by hand with a good-sized mortar and pestle) until slightly viscose (this is the egg replacer) 1/4 cup ground flax seed or flax seed with 2 tbs hot water and 2 tbs maple syrup.

3.  Blend well all the above ingredients together.  Stir in a splash of vanilla extract.

4.  In a separate bowl, sift or mix together 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour and dash of salt and cinnamon to taste (1-3 tsps.) and 1 tsp aluminum free baking power.

5.  Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just completely combined.  Please do not overmix.

6.  Mix in 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts are best or another nut that grows in the same climate as apples) and then 1 cup apple (about one small to medium-sized apple) with the skin left on in 1/4 to 1/2 inch dice.

7.  Oil a 8×8 inch pan; smooth dough evenly in pan, it will be almost like a batter.

8.  (Optional)  Combine 1-2 tbs of turbinado (raw sugar) crystals and some combination of cinnamon, all spice, nutmeg,  Sprinkle as a topping.

9.  Bake at 325F (no need to preheat the oven) for 16-20 minutes.  Watch carefully to see that it does not burn.

Makes 16-25 squares.  They are quite sweet, so a few bites is just the right amount.

(Apologies for the terrible Blackberry Photo)

 

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