Low Sugar Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies

 Crazy story behind these. I made my own applesauce awhile back. It had no sugar and made it in the IP. Came out great.  Had some left and saw a recipe for no sugar applesauce cookies.

They came out SO SO good. Mei ( who is NOT a big sweet eater) loved them. My neighbor Henry wanted more. There was a issue. I had no idea where I found the recipe and for the life of me I could not find it again.

Henry was going to Texas to help his boys move back and I saw another recipe which was kind of similar to the one I made. I wanted to whip up a batch for him to take for the trip.

The recipe below isn't the one I made that everyone loved but I like it. I did add more oatmeal because I thought the consistency was to thin. I also had another problem which was not the recipe.

Mei has a Pecan Tree in her back yard. She shelled a bunch for me which is a TON of work. The recipe calls for pecans and I use Mei's. Problem- there were shells mixed in with the pecans. The first bite- HORROR! No way were they going out to anyone.

If you try the recipe make sure the pecans have no shells!!

Ingredients:

1 cup oats (rolled or quick-cooking)

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (for a natural sweetener)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 cup raisins or chocolate chips (optional, for extra flavor)

1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, for crunch)

Directions:

Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the unsweetened applesauce, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract. Stir until well-mixed.

Add Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.

Optional Ingredients: If you like, fold in the raisins or chocolate chips and nuts for an extra burst of flavor and texture.

Shape the Cookies: Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave some space between the cookies, as they may spread a little.

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden.

Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad

 

Ingredients:

2 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), diced

1 cup dried cranberries

2 medium carrots, peeled and shredded

½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, toasted for extra crunch)

¼ cup dried raisins or golden raisins (optional)

For the Dressing

½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream for richer flavor)

2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

A pinch of salt

Optional Additions

1 cup mixed greens or spinach (for added freshness)

Crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (for a savory twist)

Sliced green onions (for color and zing)

Directions:

Wash, core, and dice the apples into bite-sized pieces. To prevent browning, toss them with a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Peel and shred the carrots using a box grater or food processor for uniform texture.

If using fresh cranberries, chop them roughly for easier eating; dried cranberries can be added as-is.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, honey, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.

Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more honey or tanginess with additional orange juice.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced apples, shredded carrots, cranberries, walnuts (if using), and raisins.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Be careful not to bruise the apples or carrots.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and garnish with extra nuts, crumbled cheese, or a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.

I like my dressing on the side. This dressing is very good. 😉

Swedish Apple Cake

 

Ingredients:

½ cup butter, room temp

1 ⅔ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

1 ½ cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

3 cups diced & peeled apples (~2 large apples)

Optional: ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Caramel

1 ⅓ cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons half & half

4 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and thoroughly grease a 9-inch springform pan.

In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until smooth, then add eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla.

Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined, then fold in apples and nuts if using.

Transfer batter to the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes as you prepare the caramel.

Caramel: when cake has been baking for 30 minutes, start the caramel. Add brown sugar, half & half, and butter to a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir often until the mixture is smooth and fully combined, no need to bring to a full boil.

Remove cake from oven and pour caramel over the top. Return cake to oven for additional 10-15 minutes or until caramel is cracking and cake is cooked through the center.

Allow cake to cool at least 15 minutes before slicing.

IP APPLESAUCE ( NO SUGAR)

Ingredients:

3 lbs. apples mixed variety, about 5-6 large apples

⅓ cup water or apple juice

½ tsp. Saigon  cinnamon

¼ tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. lemon juice optional

Directions:

Core and cut the apples into large 2-inch chunks. I left the skin on

Add cut apples to a 6-quart Instant Pot along with the water and spice(s). 
Cover the Instant Pot with a lid and ensure the pressure release valve is sealed.

Using the manual mode, set the Instant Pot to High pressure and cook for 7 minutes.
 Quick release the pressure valve as soon as the timer goes off.


Mash applesauce using a potato masher until it is to your desired consistency. 

Mix in lemon juice and serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days.

Texas Size Apple Pie Muffins

 

Ingredients:

1 (22 ounce) can apple pie filling- mashed*

1 yellow cake mix

4 eggs slightly beaten

1 cup self rising flour

1 tablespoon Saigon cinnamon

1 medium chopped apple ( I left the skin on)

Directions:

Whisk all dry ingredients

Add wet ingredients to dry

Fold in apples into 2 prepared muffin liners

Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top of muffins

Bake at 325 for 35 to 45 minutes. Test by inserting toothpick into muffin and make sure it comes out clean.

* Wonder what they would taste like if I used canned fried apples. Will have to try next time.

** I also added on my own 1/4 tsp. vanilla.

This recipe came via a cakemix group on FB.

I really don't like making quick breads. I have a few quick breads that are my favorites but if I can swap the recipe to a large muffin I will. 

I'm big on spreading acts of kindness. A few of the people who work at the gym were VERY kind to me when I needed TLC. They seem to like my baked good so what better way to say I care then to bake😀

IP Cinnamon Red Hot Apple Sauce

 

Ingredients:

6 large apples

1 tbsp Vanilla extract

2.5 ounce box Red Hots candies ( I bought a 5.5 ounce box and used half)

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup apple juice

Directions:

Peel and core the apples. Slice the apples into 6 slices.

Add the apples, vanilla extract, red hot candies, brown sugar, and water to the liner of the Instant Pot.

Set the pressure to high and set a timer for 15 minutes. Let it naturally release for 20 minutes then quick release if needed.

When the pressure has been released, remove the lid and use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.

Set the Instant Pot to sauté and bring the easy Instant Pot apple butter to a simmer. Then turn off the Instant Pot and let the apple butter cool. Sauté again if needed to thicken your apple butter in an Instant Pot.

Let it cool. Store in the fridge or in the freezer

I came upon this idea in a strange way. I joined a pie group on FB. I suck at making crust and Gabe loves apple pie. Figured I would get some hints on how to make a good crust. Will let you know if it happens😉

Someone posted that she adds red hots to her apple pie. Now, that sounded pretty good to me but Gabe said no way, he wants a traditional pie.

Reading the comments, someone mentioned about Red Hots apple sauce- now that's something I would really like. I had few apples hanging out in the bin. I knew they wouldn't be good crisp but fine for the applesauce. Worked out great!

I also adapted the amount of the ingredients to suit my taste. The original recipe called for 15 plus ounces of the red hots. That's A LOT of candy! I subbed apple juice for water they listed and cut the brown sugar to 1/4 cup, they wanted to add 1/2 cup. Next time I'll add less brown sugar.

If you don't have a instant pot you can also make this in a slow cooker. 

Will make this again but next time add a little less candy.

Slowcooker Apple Sauce ( No Sugar)

 

Ingredients:

5 pounds apples - I used gala

1 tablespoon Saigon Cinnamon 

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 

Directions:

You can cut off the peels but I like them, plus it gives more fiber to the sauce.

Cut the core out and slice apple and place in slowcooker

Sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg over the apples. You can add cloves if you like them. I didn't- not a clove fan

Toss with a spoon and set the slowcooker on high and let cook for 3 to 4 hours.

When soft use a immersion blender to make the sauce.

It doesn't need any water nor sugar. The apples cook down and I didn't add any sugar but it can be added to taste.

THIS DOES MAKE THE HOUSE SMELL WONDERFUL WHEN COOKING!

Easy Caramel Apple Pastry

 Ingredients-

1 8 Ounce Tube of Crescent Dough

1 Medium Apple, Peeled

1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

Pinch Of Salt

1/4 Cup Caramel Sauce

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, spray with cooking spray, set aside.

Peel your apple, and chop up into pieces, set aside.

Roll out crescent roll dough onto the parchment paper, pinch seams of dough, and with a fork prick all over with a fork.

Evenly spread the brown sugar all over the crescent dough.

Spread your apples evenly over the brown sugar, then sprinkle your cinnamon sugar mixture on top of that.

Drizzle your caramel on top of everything, feel free to use more or less depending upon your taste.

Bake  22-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Let cool completely, slice into pieces and enjoy!

Some call this crack and another brittle. The crescent rolls make this more of a pastry. I love caramel and wanted to try it.

$1,200 and change* Fresh Apple Cake

 Ingredients:

3 cups self rising flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 large eggs

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

3 cups peeled and chopped apples

1 cup chopped pecans, plus more for garnish

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325

Sift the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together into a large bowl

Beat eggs in a mixing bowl till frothy, add the sugar and oil and beat for 3 minutes

Gradually stir in the sifted dry ingredients 

Fold in the apple, pecans and vanilla

Pour batter into a buttered  9 x 13  pan. 

Bake 50 to 60 minutes until top is firm  ( cookbook said 25 but no way was it done at that time)

Remove cake from oven, poke holes in it and pour glaze on cake while still hot. You can sprinkle with a few more pecans if desired.

GLAZE

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes- till bubbling around the edges.

Take off the heat and beat with a hand mixer till glossy.

Pour over the cake.

From the author " the first is a fresh apple cake that a neighbor of mine by the name of Ruby Wells use to make. Ruby went to our church and was half Cherokee and famous for her kindly treatment of apples. I once had a Cracker farmer friend Danny H come over and bulldoze a leaning laurel oak away from my house. Like most Crackers he hates to take money from a friend and, in payment, asked me to make one of those cakes.

*Based on the estimate I'd gotten from a tree surgeon, I'd say this cake is worth $1,200 and change."

That's why I name it $1,200 and change Fresh Apple Cake 😀  In the cookbook it's under Fresh Apple Cake. Recipe from The Cracker Kitchen by Janis Owens 2009.

I made this for Ae-Yun,  the girls at the gym and ladies at the library.

Swedish Apple Pie

 I've had this recipe for a very long time and since I'm in a baking mood I made it the other day.

I used six apples. I also lightly sprayed the pie plate.

This is delicious!! Will be making this again💜

Goat Cheese Quesadilla

Ingredients:

1 tortilla

2 ounces goat cheese

½ sweet, crispy apple, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon honey

Directions:

Spread thin layer of goat cheese on half of a tortilla, top with apples slices, drizzle with one tablespoon of honey.

Fold tortilla in half

Place quesadilla in a buttered, heated skillet and cook on each side for 2 to 3 minutes, until tortilla is lightly browned.

This recipe is from a cozy mystery series. Korian Moss books are about Willa who owns a cheese shop Sonoma, California.

Recipe from Cooking The Books

Pumpkin Apple Soup

 

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/4 teaspoon Ginger, Ground

1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin

1 cup chunky applesauce

3 1/2 cups chicken broth

3/4 cup half and half ( used low fat)

Directions:

Saute the onions in a saucepan in the butter.

Place the pumpkin, spices, applesauce and the chicken broth to a large pot.

Combine the above until smooth and heat slowly.

Once the pumpkin mixture is hot ( but not bubbly) slowly add the heavy cream and stir. Simmer and serve warm

We actually had a few days where it was cool! Usually October is warm but the cooler air did not hurt my feelings.

Used the apple sauce I made and this soup was delicious.

Applesauce Bars

 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter softened

2/3 cup sugar

1  medium egg

1 cup applesauce ( I made my own and left the peel of the apple on. I also did not add sugar)

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

For the crumble

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoon flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray nonstick spray to 8×8 pan.

In a large bowl mix butter, sugar, egg and applesauce. Add flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt and stir until smooth.

Pour mixture into your baking dish and use a spatula to flatten out the top.

Prepare the crumble (directions below) and sprinkle on top.

Put into the oven and bake 28-30 ( mine cooked longer about 45 plus ) minutes . Let cool for 15 minutes before cutting up into 12 brownie bars.

For the crumble topping:

Combine brown sugar, flour and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in your butter, a little at a time until it makes a crumbly mixture. I made a double batch, you can never have enough crumble.

You will be seeing more apple recipes in the next few posts.

Mei's daughter traveled to Maryland to see her sister Nancy. Nancy lives near a farm that sells the most delicious apples. 

I sent Susan a text and asked her if she would bring me back some apples. Nancy told her which apples Mei and I liked and Susan was kind enough to get them.

The apples are huge, they are grapefruit size!!

Note: I had to try it before I gave it away. It was good! I gave half to the girls at the gym and the other half to my hairdresser Brittney. They both really liked it.👍👍👍👍👍

APPLE PANCAKES WITH OATS

 

Ingredients:

1 egg

1 apple ( I used medium sized Gala)

2 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp melted butter

1/2 cup oats, ground

1 tsp cinnamon

1/3 tsp nutmeg (very little)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Slice the apple and blend it with the rest of the wet ingredients (eggs, honey, melted butter). I added it to the food processor. Blend until smooth

Add in all dry ingredients- ground oats, spices, baking soda. Blend again until combined

Cover the surface of a non-stick pan with olive oil. At medium to medium-high heat, using a spoon, pour the mixture forming palm-sized pancakes (I used a small pan, made 3-4 pancakes per batch).

Cook until bubbles come up on the surface and the mixture is not liquid (about a minute), then flip and cook for 30s-1min. Put on a plate and repeat for another batch

I bought way to many apples ( Aldi had them on sale and I'm such a sucker for sales). There are so many recipes for apples but looking for healthy ones. I saw this one and it's very good.

Apple-Celery Smoothie

  

Ingredients:

2 apples, peeled, cored and cut into ½-inch pieces

 2 medium celery ribs, including leaves, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces

 ½ cup low-fat milk 

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

 1/8 teaspoon almond extract

 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 1 cup  vanilla yogurt 

Directions:

 1. In blender, blend apples, celery, milk, vanilla extract, almond extract and nutmeg until smooth.

2. Add  yogurt and blend until smooth

3. Pour into glass and enjoy!  

I loved this. Will be making it again

                          

Norwegian Apple Squares

 Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup softened butter

2 eggs

3 cups grated apples

3 tablespoons sugar

cinnamon to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375

In a bowl combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup softened butter, mix until combined, then add two eggs and mix until combined, then mix in the flour.  Pat half the mixture in a 9 by 13 inch baking pan.  In another bowl toss grated apples with 3 tablespoons of sugar, then spread apples over bottom layer of dough, and sprinkle with cinnamon.  Then top with remaining dough, I like to drop dough on by teaspoonful.  Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until light golden brown.  Cool and cut into squares.  The buttery crust is delicious with the apples!

APPLE-CINNAMON GLAZED PORK CHOPS

Ingredients:

1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/8 tsp pepper
2 lb pork chops
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 1/2 cup apple juice
2 apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:


Combine- 1/4 cup flour, salt, mustard, and pepper. 

 Coat pork chops in the flour mixture and brown in the butter.  Remove the chops and set aside

  Stir the 2 tablespoons of flour and brown sugar into the drippings to make a thick paste.  Gradually stir in the apple juice, cooking and stirring until thickened.

  Place the chops in a 2-quart casserole dish.  Arrange the apple slices over the chops and cover with the apple juice mixture.

  Sprinkle with the cinnamon.  Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Phyl Cramer's Apple Enigma

  This recipe was from 1958

I mixed the egg with the sugar first. Then added the dry ingredients. Then folded in the apples pieces.

I used white sugar. Used the  smallest casserole dish I had . Spray dish with non stick coating.  Used a fuji apple, and would definitely recommend!

It was beyond easy to make this recipe ( Myra and Rita- take note- LOL). Took me about 4 minutes to put it into the oven. The longest part was the baking - it said to bake for 40 minutes, but it was done after 35 minutes.

Overall, a very tasty apple cake(?). The crisp top kind of tastes like meringue - very light and airy. Definitely recommend if you want an easy dessert!

Also, I looked up Phyl Cramer (whose recipe this is) and her obituary said that she was known for her apple desserts. Kind of cool to share recipes that were loved and by ladies who loved to bake and now will sort of be remembered.

 A young lady found this book of collected 1950s recipes at an estate sale. In the book were recipes sent and made by the owner of the book. It’s interesting how people exchanged recipes in letters. I love sharing old recipes like this.

French Apple Cake

 I made this for our neighbor Don. Today is his 90th birthday.

Ingredients:

Cooking spray or butter, for coating the pan

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

3 medium apples, ( I used Honeycrisp)

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon fine salt

2 large eggs, at room temperature

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup spiced rum

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Powdered sugar, for serving

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Prepare an 8-inch round cake pan with cooking spray or butter, then line the bottom with a parchment paper round. Melt 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter. Peel, core, and dice 3 apples.

Whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon fine salt together in a medium bowl.

Whisk 2 large eggs in a large bowl until fluffy. Add the melted butter, 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup spiced rum, and 1 teaspoon vanilla, and whisk to combine. Add the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until just combined. Add the apples and fold until just combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before carefully removing from pan (loosen the sides by running a thin knife around the edge if needed first). Dust with powdered sugar and serve.

Note- I made this for Gabe on Sept. 26, 2021. I LOVED it! Make again for sure.

Fresh Apple Nut Cake (Great Grandma's Yellow Book Recipe)

 

This is another recipe from the sub/Old_Recipes on Reddit. It's a simple one-bowl cake that uses the MUFFIN METHOD for assembly. The apple flavor takes center stage.

Yellow Book is another name for Calling All Cooks. It's a collection of recipes from The Telephone Pioneers Of Alabama Chapter. Brenda Etheredge from the Mobile chapter shared this recipe.

I gave large slices to Sharon and Don who loved it.

Ingredients:

1 cups chopped nuts ( used pecans)

3 cups sifted flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

3/4 c vegetable oil

4 cups chopped and pealed apples

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

Directions:

Measure sifted flour and mix dry ingredients. Beat eggs until light, add all ingredients. 

Spread the thick batter into an even layer in a 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Sprinkle cake with following if desired: ( I didn't add this-Although the glaze does help lock in moistness, the cake is the true star here, with the sweet apple flavor and moist texture. I think a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream would be great in place of the glaze. This is my humble opinion)

Glaze:

1/2 c sugar

1/4 c flour

1 stick butter or margarine ( crumbled)

Mix , sprinkle on cake.