Apple Butter Bars

 Do y'all ever get those free magazines from electric companies and insurance companies? Don't just toss them. Some of those magazines contain recipes that you don't want to miss.

This recipe is listed as a cake but to me it's all about cutting it into bars before serving. You can certainly do either way.

I found it not long after my husband and I returned from the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, area. We had purchased Apple Butter from a local orchard and I wanted to use it in something. This recipe is that something.

It's easy and delicious. And don't worry. The Apple Butter you find at your local store will work just fine.

Apple Butter Bars

1 cup butter -- room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs -- room temperature

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup Apple Butter

2 teaspoons Pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with wax paper. Lightly spray the bottom and sides with PAM.

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, until blended in.

Mix the flour, salt and baking powder together. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Lastly, add the Apple Butter and vanilla flavoring.

Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool completely.

Apple Butter Frosting

1 8-ounce package cream cheese -- room temperature

1/4 cup butter -- room temperature

3 tablespoons Apple Butter

1 16-ounce box of powdered sugar (about 3 3/4 cups)

Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add Apple Butter. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Mix well.

Spread over cooled Apple Butter Bars.

Cut into bars or, if you like, cut into larger pieces. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.