What sets the following recipe apart from every other bar treat is everything. I took the memory of the age-old Charlotte dessert and combined it with the taste of gingerbread. Apples and cheddar cheese transform this great treat into a true New England dessert.

Use stale bread if you like, but you will find that the bread topping is crispier than any streusel you can make.

Warm Spiced

Apple-Ginger Squares

8 slices white or whole wheat bread

4 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

1 cup maple syrup or honey

1 tablespoon molasses

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon dried ginger

3 large apples, peeled and sliced

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Dice bread into very small cubes, smaller than the size of peas. Add cubes to a large bowl along with melted butter, half a cup of maple syrup and molasses. Toss so all of bread cubes are moistened. Add brown sugar and ginger, and set aside.

In another bowl, toss the apple slices with granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon until the apples are well coated. Add the remainder of the maple syrup and cheddar cheese, tossing to blend well.

Spread half the bread mixture on the bottom of an ungreased, 9-inch, square baking pan. Lightly pack down. Top with seasoned apple slices, spreading out evenly. Top with remainder of bread crumb mixture, but do not tamp it down.

Bake for 35-40 minutes on the bottom rack of the oven, or until the top is evenly crispy and browned. Remove and serve warm with ice cream, or cool completely before cutting into bars.

— Chef Jim Bailey is The Yankee Chef. Contact him at [email protected].