Karen's Applesauce Linzer Bars (Gluten-Free Variation as well) - A Zest for Life

Ingredients

• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup confectioner's sugar
• 1 1/4 cups flour (gluten-free all purpose flour or regular flour)
• 1 cup rolled oats (DIVIDED)
• 1 cup nuts (half almonds, half walnuts – chopped finely)
• 1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated )
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (or Himalayan sea salt )
• 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups chunky homemade apple sauce ((see my recipe))
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar (or coconut palm sugar)
• 1/4 cup flour (gluten-free all purpose flour or regular flour)