Guest Post: Aunt Apple’s Apples

My sister makes these delicious apple treats all the time for my kiddos (and everyone else). Think an awesome healthy version of an apple pie. Since they are such an unbelievable hit (they have even caused a name change ;)) we wanted to share them with you! Perfect time for the Autumn and Jewish Holidays too! My kids will eat these at any meal, any time of day! Enjoy!!!

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Aunt Apple’s Apples

I’m Marisa’s sister Jillian, but my wonderful niece and nephew know me as Aunt Apple. I started making my special apple dessert about two years ago, and they love it so much, I give it to them for every family get-together. It’s vegan, very low fat, low sugar, low carb, high fiber, and most importantly, it’s delicious!

Ingredients:

  • 6 apples (I like using organic Fuji or Gala, but any type will do)
  • 1 tbsp of cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup of sugar
  • 1 tbsp of brown sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup of raisins
  • 1 cup of Bisquick
  • 1/4 cup of butter flavored Crisco (or other vegan butter substitute)
  • 3 tbsp boiling water

The very first thing you want to do with this recipe is make the dough for the crust; the more time it has to hydrate, the easier it will be to work with. Mix the Bisquick with the Crisco and boiling water, then knead it all together. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator.

The next step is to plump the raisins. You can do this really easily by microwaving the raisins for two minutes with half a cup of water, then draining whatever water is left. If you want the raisins to be even sweeter, you can use fruit juice instead of water to plump them.

Then, you take the apples and cut them in half horizontally. Then, using a sturdy melon baller, scoop out the core, making sure not to puncture the skin of the apple. After you’ve thrown away the core, use the melon baller to scoop out as much of the fruit as possible, and set it aside for the filling.

When you’ve hollowed out all the apples, roughly chop all the scooped out pieces, and mix them with the sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and raisins. Toss everything thoroughly to combine.

Now, fill each of the apple with the filling up to the brim.

(If you want to make your dessert gluten-free, your prep work is over, and you can just skip down to the baking specifications.)

Next, take your chilled dough out of the fridge, and roll it out on a non-stick surface or a floured surface. Slice it into thin pieces about three inches long for your lattice crust. And then make a little hashtag on each apple half. Gently press the ends of each dough strip on to the apple.

When these are all completed, put them in a casserole dish. Now, pour a tiny bit of water on the bottom of the dish between the pies, cover the whole thing with tin foil, and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Then uncover the pan, and cook the apples for another 20 minutes, or until the crust is nicely browned.

You now have your very own Aunt Apple’s Apples! There will probably be some water left at the bottom of the pan, so move those treats to another vessel, and enjoy!

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Matzo Squares

Passover dessert is not really known for being so great (think dry flour less cardboard), but these were awesome! Chocolate & Peanut Butter to me is always a winning combination 🙂 Not everyone eats peanuts/legumes during the holiday so you can always substitute Almond butter and I’m sure would be amazing too! Also to make this as a Non-Passover dessert you can use graham cracker meal or maybe even try coconut flour! mmmm ideas!

My dear friend Lisa posted these on her site and I’m so happy, and so was the rest of my family! YUM!!!!!

Chocolate Peanut But

Chocolate Peanut Butter Matzo Squares
recipe from lisasprojectvegan.com

1 1/4 cup organic natural peanut butter (room temperature)
4 tablespoons Earth Balance (1/2 stick, softened)
1 cup vegan powdered sugar
1 cup of matzo meal (approx 3 sheets processed)
1 cup vegan chocolate chips
coarse sea salt (optional)

Combine the peanut butter and Earth Balance.  Use a hand mixer and if it gets to tough, use your hands.  Work the powdered sugar in 1/2 a cup at a time.  When that is thoroughly combined, add the matzo meal and 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips.   Combine well.  Lightly grease a small square pan (mine is a 8×8 baking pan) and set the mixture in by really pressing it down firmly so it is even.   Melt together 1/4 cup of the peanut butter and the other 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips.  Pour it over the top of the crust and spread it out evenly.  If using sea salt, sprinkle on (I did so on half) Place in the refrigerator to set (at least an hour.)  Cut into squares and serve!  Enjoy!

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