Protein Apple Pie Blondie Bars

Heat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 inch square metal pan with parchment and lightly grease it.

Add the apples, maple syrup, cinnamon, cornstarch, and salt to a skillet over medium heat. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the apples are tender and their juices form a thick, glossy coating. Cool for 10 minutes.

Whisk together your chosen flour option, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

In another bowl, whisk the eggs, almond butter, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and vanilla. For the all purpose flour version, whisk in the melted butter.

Fold the wet mixture into the dry mixture. The batter should be thick, glossy, and spreadable. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time only if needed.

Reserve about ¾ cup of batter. Spread the remaining batter in the pan.

Spoon the apple filling over the batter, leaving a small border. Dollop the reserved batter over the apples and gently swirl it through the filling.

Mix the coconut sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the top.

Bake for 28 to 34 minutes. The edges should be deeply golden and the center should look set but remain slightly soft when pressed.

Cool completely for about 1 hour before slicing. The center becomes dense and chewy as it cools.