SHE GAVE ME TWO RECIPES!

Recipe #1:
On Saturday I did something that I do at least once a year.  I baked a family favorite: Danish Pastry Apple Bars. Besides being yummy, I have a sentimental attachment to them because my Aunt Sue gave me the recipe. So the whole time I was making them, I was thinking about Aunt Sue, who is now in the presence of the Lord. Years ago when our children were small and we made a trip back to the States from Argentina where we were living, Aunt Sue and Uncle Ernie had us over for dinner and she served these bars. When I asked her for the recipe, she gladly shared it. I’ve included it at the bottom of this blog so you can try it, too. It always gets 5 star reviews!

Recipe #2
Every year for my birthday, Aunt Sue and Uncle Ernie sent me a birthday card, with a handwritten letter enclosed; both of them wrote, and that made me feel very special; being so far from home and family made it even more meaningful. She continued the tradition long after Uncle Ernie passed away. While we were living in Argentina, they came to visit us; they were in their 70’s by then. That was also special! What made me feel extra-special was when my daughter and I visited her shortly before she went home to be with Jesus. She was 96 then, and with a very clear mind, she shared stories about my deceased parents that I had never heard, as well as other family narratives. When the pleasant visit came to an end, she almost whisperingly said: “You were always my favorite niece.” (Sorry if any other nieces are reading this…) She always made me feel that way. How to make your nieces feel very special is the second recipe, and one that I try to follow as closely as I follow the one for her delicious Danish Pastry Apple Bars. I want every one of my nieces to know just how special they are, just like Aunt Sue did to me.

DANISH PASTRY APPLE BARS
Dough:

2 ½ c. all purpose flour  + 1 tsp. salt
1 c. butter
1 beaten egg yolk + milk to make 2/3 cup
1 beaten egg white

Filling:
1 c. slightly crushed cornflakes
¾ to 1 c. white sugar + cinnamon to taste
8 c. peeled, sliced apples.

Combine flour and salt. Cut in butter until fine and crumbly. Add beaten egg yolk and milk to flour/butter mixture. Do not overwork, or it will get tough. On floured waxed paper, roll ½ of dough to 12×17 inches. Fit into 10×15 jellyroll pan on bottom and sides. Sprinkle with cornflakes and top with apples. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Roll remaining dough to fit top. Place on top and seal edges. Cut slits on the top and brush with the frothy egg white. Bake in preheated 375 oven for around 40 minutes. Take 1 cup of confectioner’s sugar and mix well with 3 Tbsp. milk and drizzle on slightly warm bars. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea and special friend…or better yet, with a special niece!