Apple Crumb Bars

2 cups Oats ($.40)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour ($.15)
1 cup packed brown sugar ($.20)
1/2 cup applesauce (free)
1/4 cup butter, melted ($.25)
1 tsp ground cinnamon ($.01)
1/2 tsp baking soda ($.01)
1/2 tsp salt, optional ($.01)
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg ($.01)
1 cup applesauce (free, but up to $1)
1/2 cup chopped nuts ($.50)

Prehead over to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, combine all ingredients except 1 cup applesauce (the 1/2 cup applesauce is a substitue for part of the butter and works fine and needs to be added now) and nuts; mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup oats mixture. Press remaining ingredients into bottom of greased 13x9 metal baking pan (I used glass and was fine). Bake 13-15 minutes; cool. Spread applesauce over partially baked crust. Sprinkle reserved 1 cup oats mixture over top; sprinkle with nuts. Bake 13-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack; cut into 2-inch squares.

Makes about 2 dozen bars.

TOTAL COST: $1.54 - $2.54

*I like these chilled/frozen because they are a little soggy with the applesauce at room temperature.

DID YOU SEE THE STRETCHER??? I use applesauce all the time in place of part or all of oil or butter. It is cheap because I can usually get apples for free and can the applesauce myself and it lowers the fat content by far and adds a yummy taste. Any questions?

Homemade Graham Crackers

So I wanted to make a cheesecake today with a graham cracker crust, but didn't have any graham crackers, so I found this online - I didn't actually bake the graham crackers first, but have a bit more to make into graham crackers still. Can't wait to see how it tastes. Yummy - Strawberry Cheesecake, here we come!

1 cup (4 ounces) Whole Wheat Flour or Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1 cup (4 1/4 ounces) Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/4 cup (1 3/4 ounces) sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 large egg
1/4 cup (1 3/4 ounces) vegetable oil
1/4 cup (3 ounces) honey
2 to 3 tablespoons (1 to 1 1/2 ounces) milk (approx.)
additional milk for glaze
cinnamon-sugar (optional

In a mixing bowl, combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and baking powder. In a separate bowl, beat egg till light, then add oil, honey and 2 tablespoons milk. Stir into dry ingredients until you have a fairly stiff dough, adding additional milk if necessary. Wrap dough in waxed paper and chill until firm, about 1 hour (or longer, if it's more convenient).

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead gently until it holds together. Roll dough out till it's about 1/16-inch thick; make sure rolling surface is well-floured, or you'll have trouble transferring crackers to baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Cut dough into 3-inch squares, prick each square several times with a fork, and place on lightly greased cookie sheets. Brush the tops with milk, sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar if you're so inclined, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crackers are lightly browned. Remove crackers from oven, transfer to a wire cooling rack, and cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen graham crackers.