spicy apple bar cookies

Spicy Apple Bar Cookies
I discovered this recipe during our first Christmas in Germany in 1976. The cocoa adds an unexpected zing to the apple dessert. I like to serve this warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sifted flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 TBS. cocoa
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. ground cloves
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1 ½ cups diced, peeled apples
½ c. chopped walnuts
Sifted powdered sugar

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Sift together next 8 ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Stir in oats, apples, and walnuts. Spread in greased 9 X 12 pan. Bake at 350 degrees about 30 minutes. Cool slightly in pan on rack and cut into bars. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve warm with ice cream!