Sparkling Drink and Fruit Bar as a Quick After-School Snack

Cooling Apple Sparkle and spicy fruit bars make an ideal after-school snack. The drink is quickly and easily put together with just three ingredients--ice tea mix, apple juice and lemon-lime carbonated beverage.

Applesauce, raisins, nuts and spices are key to the flavor and texture of Saucy Spice Bars.

APPLE SPARKLE

2 rounded tablespoons iced tea mix

2 (5 1/2-ounce) cans apple juice

1 (12-ounce) can lemon-lime carbonated drink

2 orange slices, halved

Combine tea mix with apple juice, stirring until dissolved. Add carbonated drink. Pour over ice cubes and garnish with halved orange slices. Makes 3 cups or 4 servings.

SAUCY SPICE BARS

2 cups unsifted flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup shortening, at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup applesauce

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons milk

1/8 teaspoon vanilla

Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg in medium bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside.

Cream shortening and granulated sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Mix in raisins and walnuts. Add flour mixture alternately with applesauce, stirring well after each addition. Spread batter in 2 well-greased 8-inch square pans.

Bake at 325 degrees 30 minutes or until wood pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool. Combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla to form thin glaze. Drizzle over top of cookies before cutting into bars. Makes about 30 bars.