10 years ago today, I remember getting ready for work. I lived about a mile from my job as a municipal secretary then and we didn’t start the day until 9AM, so I could sleep in a bit just about every day. I was young, newly-married, and seeing a world full of infinite possibilities.
I remember having the news on, though not really watching it. It was background noise while I ate breakfast and gathered my thoughts, preparing myself for the day ahead.
I remember seeing the breaking news report of the first plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. At the time, there was speculation of a malfunction of some sort. Nobody could imagine–or didn’t want to imagine–that such an event could be intentional.
I remember leaving for work in a hurry, rushing into the office to tell them what I had seen. Many dismissed it, acknowledging that it was, indeed, a horrible tragedy, but sure that it had to be an accident. How could it be otherwise?
I remember hearing the report on our crappy office radio, always tuned to the local FM station, about the South Tower being hit. And then reality hitting home.
I remember tracking down an old, tiny, black-and-white television from an office on another floor, and our office trying to watch its fuzzy antennae’d reception the rest of that morning.
I remember the same video footage being shown over and over again, etching itself into my brain forever.
I remember further reports coming in about another plane hitting the Pentagon. And then the fourth plane; the one that went down in that field in Pennsylvania–a jet full of heroes.
I remember how our world was changed eternally in one seemingly-benign Tuesday morning.
Thank you to all who have given their lives on that day and since, due to what the events that unfolded on that fateful September 11th set into motion. You will not be forgotten.
Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch of ground nutmeg
- pinch of ground cloves
- 1/2 cup 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1 cup vanilla sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 baking apples cored and diced, but not peeled (I used 1 Ginger Gold and 1 Gala)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper, then set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, salt, baking powder, and spices. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars, mixing until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until fully incorporated. The dough will be quite thick at this point, like the consistency of cookie dough.
- Remove bowl from stand mixer and stir in the apple chunks.
- Spread into the prepared 9x13 baking dish.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown. Be careful not to underbake.
- Cool completely before cutting and serving.
Notes
SUCH A AMAZING RECIPE!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING….