Apple Bars

When going through my grandma’s recipes to select the one to share with you this week, I was struck by a deep feeling of homesickness (I live in Denver and most of my family is in Minnesota). These recipes smell like my grandmother. I don’t know how else to describe it. They smell of her, her home, her kitchen, her love. So when you read this recipe know that it not only comes from my kitchen to yours with love but also from hers.

1 3/4 cup apples, coarsely chopped
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup melted butter
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup seedless raisins
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts

Core the apples and peel them. Chop them up and put them in a large bowl. Add in the sugar and let it sit for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Add the melted butter and egg to the apples. Add in the flour mixture. Add in the raisins and the nuts and stir well. Put the mixture into a greased 8 x 12-inch pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 35 minutes.