Name: Miso Apple Bars
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 165 min
Ingredients: 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided; 1 cup light brown sugar, divided; 4 tablespoons white miso, divided; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 cups white whole-wheat flour; 1 teaspoon ground cardamom; 0.25 teaspoon salt; 8 tart apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled and chopped; 2.5 tablespoons lemon juice; 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger; 0.5 cup pecans, chopped

Miso Apple Bars

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Miso is not just for soup! This fermented bean paste's rich umami flavor balances the sweetness in this apple dessert recipe. More ways to use miso: whisk into a dressing or stir into sautéed vegetables with a bit of butter too.

Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

Updated on March 5, 2020

Prep Time:

40 mins

Additional Time:

2 hrs 5 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs 45 mins

Servings:

Yield:

18 bars

Nutrition Profile:

High Fiber Vegetarian Low Sodium

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided
1 cup light brown sugar, divided
4 tablespoons white miso, divided
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups white whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon salt
8 tart apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled and chopped
2 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ cup pecans, chopped

Directions

Line a 9-by-13-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over two sides.
Combine 10 tablespoons butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons miso, egg and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add flour, cardamom and salt; mix until just combined. Refrigerate 1 cup for the topping and press the remaining dough into the prepared pan. Chill for 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake the crust until the edges are lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons each butter and miso in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, apples, lemon juice, cinnamon and ginger. Adjust heat to maintain a lively simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, 15 to 18 minutes. Spread over the crust. Mix pecans into the reserved topping and crumble over the top.
Bake the bars until lightly browned, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan, about 1 1/2 hours, before cutting into 18 bars.

Tips

To make ahead: Store bars airtight at room temperature for up to 1 day.

Equipment: Parchment paper

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

245	Calories
10g	Fat
36g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 18
Calories 245
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 36g	13%
Dietary Fiber 4g	14%
Total Sugars 18g
Added Sugars 12g	24%
Protein 4g	7%
Total Fat 10g	13%
Saturated Fat 5g	26%
Cholesterol 31mg	10%
Vitamin A 284IU	6%
Vitamin C 3mg	4%
Folate 5mcg	1%
Sodium 161mg	7%
Calcium 22mg	2%
Iron 3mg	17%
Magnesium 9mg	2%
Potassium 127mg	3%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.