Homemade Applesauce

Apple season is upon us and with the 2 bushels I picked with the kids I've been busy making some yummy stuff for us. This recipe is for the crockpot, but surely you could use a big old pot on the stove and achieve the same result, however, it would require more watching.

8-10 apples

1/3 C water

2 t. vanilla

2 T cinnamon

the juice of one lemon

Directions, peel and core the apples and cut into quarters, or smaller to fit more. Throw them into the crockpot and pour the water, vanilla, cinnamon and juice of lemon over them. Cook on low for about 3 or 4 hours. Check the apples at about three hours into cooking by taking a potato masher and mashing them down, they should practically fall apart. If there are still some hard chunks let it cook a little longer. When all soft just mash and serve warm. Place into containers and keep in refrigerator. Use in recipes like this one.

Apple Muffins

1 c. whole wheat flour (I used 2 cups gluten free flour, recipe is in comments here)
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c. milk
1 tbsp cider vinegar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/3 c. maple syrup
1 c. applesauce ( I used homemade)
1 c. chopped apples

Directions:

makes 12 muffins (about the size of cupcakes)

-preheat oven to 375 degrees F

- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon . Set aside.(Don't have a sifter? instead of using a spoon to mix these ingredients, use a whisk. )

- in a seperate bowl, mix together the milk, vinegar, oil, maple syrup, applesauce, and apples.

- add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix together gently until "just" mixed. DO NOT over mix, this will make your batter (and muffins) heavy and hard.

- spoon batter into well greased muffin tins. bake for 15-20 minutes. test with a toothpick to see if done.

Yogurt-Peanut Butter Fruit Dip

I made this up when my kids were little and into dipping things. We all still love this.

Dip:

1/3 cup vanilla yogurt

1-2 Tbs. natural peanut butter (I use creamy, but if your kids like chunky that will work too)

cinnamon

Fruit to dip: sliced apples or pears, bananas, strawberries, pineapple chucks, etc.

1. Combine yogurt and peanut butter in small bowl until smooth.
2. Sprinkle with cinnamon and stir.
3. Serve with sliced fruit.

Best Banana Bread

My kids love this. In fact, during the school year my daughter will often come home and ask to make banana bread for snack. I think she would cook or bake every day after school if she could.

2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups walnuts, chopped coarsely and toasted (optional)

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3 very ripe, soft large bananas, mashed well (about 1 1/2 cups)

1/4 vanilla yogurt

2 large eggs, beaten lightly

6 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 tsp. vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan.
2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and walnuts in a large bowl; set aside.
3. Mix mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter and vanilla with a wooden spoon in a medium bowl. Lightly fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined and the batter looks thick and chunky. Scrape the batter into prepared loaf pan.
4. Bake until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Don't over bake. (I start checking it at 50 minutes... I hate dry banana bread!)
5. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Continue cooling.