Coffee Apple Bars with Caramel Icing

1 T instant coffee

1/2 C boiling water

90 g butter

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 C brown sugar, firmly packed

1 egg

1 1/2 C self-raising flour

1/2 t ground cinnamon

1/2 t bicarbonate of soda

1 apple, grated

Caramel icing:

2 T brown sugar

30 g butter

1 T milk

1 C icing sugar

Grease a 19 cm x 29 cm lamington pan, line base and sides with paper, grease paper as well.

Combine coffee and water; cool to room temperature.

Cream butter, vanilla and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, beat in egg, beat until combined. Stir in the flour, cinnamon, bicarbonate of soda and the coffee mix. Sir in the apple.

Spread mixture into pan. Bake at 180 for 25 minutes or until cooked. Spread with icing. Cool mixture in pan before cutting.

Caramel icing: Combine sugar, butter and milk in saucepan, stir constantly over heat without boiling until smooth. Gradually stir in sifted icing sugar.

Keeping time: 3 days

Source: Based on a recipe from Australia Women's Weekly Home Library - Cakes and Slices