Simple Crockpot Applesause

Tis the season... for crockpots and apples! 

We picked about 25 pounds of apples today from some of our local growers. They're very inexpensive and taste so much better than the store-bought ones! Last batch of apples we picked, I made batches and batches of Crockpot Apple Butter and froze it in freezer containers so it's ready when we are. This time we decided to make applesauce (in addition to eating some of the apples, of course). School has started and applesauce is always a great "side dish" for the lunch box.

We just randomly picked a variety of apples. You can use whatever your favorite apples are to create a flavor for your own liking.  Enjoy!

Simple Crockpot Applesauce

Ingredients

• 5 pounds apples (cored, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice *

Preparation

Add all ingredients to the crockpot. Cook on high for approximately 4 hours (or low for 6-8 hours). Stir apples half-way through. Cook until apples are very soft and mash when stirring. Mash the applesauce to your desired texture. I used a wooden spoon for this batch. You can use a potato masher or a blender as well.

* You may need to adjust this measurement depending on the type(s) of apples you use... flavor, sweetness, tartness, etc.

Vegan Peach Cobbler

Vegan Peach Cobbler

Ingredients

• Filling
• 8 peaches, sliced and pit removed
• 1/2 teaspoon unflavored liquid stevia
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon water
• Topping
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 2 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon stevia powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 baking pan with non-stick spray. Combine all filling ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Evenly spread in the bottom of the baking pan.In a separate bowl, combine all crust ingredients except the maple syrup. Mix well until it  reaches a crumbly consistency. Crumble the topping mix onto the filling mix in the baking pan. Cover with foil and bake for about 40 minutes. Uncover and drizzle the maple syrup over the top. Continue baking for another 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

Mimi's Pumpkin Bran Muffins

Mimi's Pumpkin Bran Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 cup wheat bran
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup raisins (or dried fruit of choice - cranberry, chopped prunes, etc.)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup honey (or molasses)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 4 tablespoons ground flax seed
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup pumpkin (canned, no additives)
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine wheat bran, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground flax, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix well. Stir in nuts and raisins. In a separate bowl, blend milk, molasses (or honey), pumpkin, oil, and eggs. Add to dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. Spoon into greased muffin tin (or paper muffin cups). Bake 15-20 minutes.

Makes 12 marvelous muffins!