Apple Bran Bars

Ingredients

 * ⅔ cup vegetable shortening
 * ½ cup sugar
 * 1 large egg
 * ⅓ cup molasses
 * ⅓ cup milk
 * 1¾ cup all purpose flour
 * 1 cup bran flakes
 * 1 teaspoon baking soda
 * ½ teaspoon salt
 * 2 cups chopped Golden Delicious apples
 * ½ cup walnuts

Cream cheese frosting

 * 1 x 3-ounce package cream cheese
 * ¼ cup softened butter or margarine
 * 1 teaspoon grated orange peel
 * ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
 * 2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

 * 1) Heat oven to 350°F.
 * 2) Grease a 15- by 10-inch jelly roll pan.
 * 3) In large bowl, with electric mixer, beat together shortening and sugar until light in texture-about 3 minutes.
 * 4) Add egg and beat well.
 * 5) Add molasses and milk, beating until well combined.
 * 6) In small bowl, combine flour, bran, baking soda, and salt.
 * 7) Add flour mixture to shortening mixture, beating on low speed just until combined.
 * 8) Spread batter in prepared pan and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.
 * 9) Cool in pan.
 * 10) Meanwhile, prepare cream cheese frosting, if desired.
 * 11) When bar mixture has cooled, spread with cream cheese frosting; cut into 24 bars and serve.

Cream cheese frosting

 * 1) In large bowl with electric mixer, beat together cream cheese and softened butter or margarine.
 * 2) Add grated orange peel and vanilla extract.
 * 3) Beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth.