Blonde Brownies, Tasty Tuesday

I've had this recipe for a long time and can't remember who gave it to me.  I haven't made it in a long time, but it's a good one.  I've been thinking about it since I returned from Florida with a trunk full of oranges.  Another great idea for New Years Eve!  (Ps.  I leave out the raisins just because I'm not a kid anymore and I don't have to eat raisins)

Blonde Brownies

 2 c peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith)

1 c firmly packed brown sugar

½ c (1 stick) butter

1 egg

1 ½ c  flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp each salt, nutmeg, allspice

1 tsp cinnamon

½ cup chopped pecans

½ c raisins  (optional!!)

Creamy Citrus Frosting (recipe follows)

Preheat 325.  Butter 9 x 13 metal (not glass) pan.....

In a large mixing bowl, mix the apples with brown sugar.  Set it aside while you prepare the other ingredients.  In a small pan, melt the butter and set it aside to cool.  In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg slightly.  Sift  together the flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. 

Whisk the melted and cooled butter into the egg; stir this mixture into the apple mixture.  Stir the flour mixture into the apple mixture, mixing just until incorporated.  Stir in the nuts and raisins.  (The batter will be thick).  Spread the batter in the prepared pan.

Bake for 18 – 22 minutes, or until it tests done with a toothpick.  Cool in the pan, then frost.  Slice and serve.

Creamy Citrus Frosting:

 2 Tbsp  (1/4 stick) butter, softened

2 Tbsp orange juice (from freshly squeezed just ripened FL oranges acquired in December) (it's worth a road trip)

1 to 1 ½ c confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Beat the butter with the orange juice until the butter is very soft (they will not mix completely).  Add the sugar until the desired consistency is reached.  Spread on the cooled brownies.