Applesauce Honey Cookies

from Great American Home Baking

Prep: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Bake 14 minutes
Makes 3 1/2 dozen

2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tbsp. honey, at room temperature

MIX together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and salt.

BEAT together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, applesauce and honey. At low speed, beat in flour mixture until well combined. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

PREHEAT oven to 375. Grease 2 baking sheets.

ON a floured surface, using floured hands, roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place cookies on baking sheet 3 inches apart. Using a floured fork, firmly flatten each cookie.

BAKE cookies until golden, 14 minutes. Transfer baking sheets to wire rack and cool for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to wire racks and cool completely.

Banana Squares

from: Taste of Home, 1997

Prep: 25-30 minutes
Bake: 45-50 minutes
Makes 12-16 servings

2 eggs, separated
2/3 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2-3 medium)
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup sour milk*
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Whipped cream and sliced bananas for topping (optional)

*To sour milk, place 1 tsp. of white vinegar in 1/4 cup. Add enough milk to equal the 1/4 cup.*

IN a small mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; set aside.

IN a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Beat in egg yolks; mix well. Add bananas.

COMBINE flour and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Fold in egg whites. Fold in nuts if desired.

POUR into a greased 13 x 9 baking pan.

BAKE at 350 for 45-50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

IF desired, serve with whipped cream and a few banana slices.