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)