Single Serving Blueberry or Apple Pie

When you have cravings for pie but don't want to go into the effort of making an entire pie...this was a perfect treat!

Blueberry Filling
2-1/4 teaspoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup fresh blueberries

Apple Filling

1 apple, peeled, cored, diced small
1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Crust
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon sugar
pinch of salt
2 tablespoon butter, chilled - plus 1 additional tablespoon butter, chopped to dot on top of filling
2 teaspoon ice water

Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Combine filling ingredients for either apple or blueberry. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt.

Using a fork, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Add the water and stir to form dough.
Split into 2 sections, one slightly smaller then the other. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a circle for both.
Fit the crust into the pan (I used a 2 cup glass pyrex).
Pour in filling and dot with butter. Cover with remaing dough.
Bake for 20-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown

Apple Cinnamon French Toast

Looking for a quick dinner? Or breakfast? This french toast was so easy to create!

I used Trader Joe's Multigrain Country Bread which I don't really care for for sandwiches since it is a little on the drier side. BUT this was perfect for this eggy french toast! I'm not a fan of syrup so I wanted to make a fruit topping (last time I used raspberry jelly, delish!). There were apples waiting to be used to this would be perfect! The topping is based around an apple pie filling. You could also add apple pie spice or nutmeg if you wanted.

Next time I would use half the amount of yolks (ie 2 eggs, but separate one egg from the yolk) to see if it would change the texture while making it a little healthier.

Naked French Toast

Topped with Apples and Cinnamon

A lil dollop of jelly

French Toast

The general rule of thumb is 1 egg per slice of bread. For 6 eggs (6 slices of bread) I used about 1 tsp cinnamon and vanilla, 1/4 cup of water.

In bowl (or a 9x9 baking dish) scramble the eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and a splash of water (or milk). Dip bread slices in egg batter and let the egg get a bit absorbed (about a minute). Heat frying pan over medium, cook until brown on one side (approx 3-5 minutes), then flip and cook the other side.

Apple Cinnamon Topping
Tops 6 slices of french toast

1/2 tbsp butter
1 tsp brown sugar, packed
1 tsp (ish) cinnamon
a splash of water (2 tbsp?)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 medium apple, small dice, I didn't peel it

Heat skillet over medium. Melt butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the apple and walnuts and stir until coated. I wanted a little "sauce" so I added a splash of water. Cook until apples are starting to soften and a sauce is starting to form.

Blueberry Pancakes

Looking for an easy, light, and fluffy pancake recipe that has standard ingredients? Look no further!I adapted it from Allrecipes.

The recipe made 4 1/2 pancakes, I suppose I make them bigger than "serving size"! The recipe says that it makes 8 servings.

Remember, when mixing the batter, there should be lumps. If you don't have lumps you have over mixed the batter which can cause it to be tough or chewy.

I substituted brown sugar for the white (just because). I used about 1 1/2 tbsp of melted butter instead of 3. I added in vanilla extract. I used bacon grease to oil the pan instead of butter or regular oil. I added blueberries once the pancake batter was poured on the skillet.

Click here for the apple cinnamon pancakes from this fall.

Small lumps!

Just made some bacon in the pan too

Bubbles just before flipping, note the edges
rounding out too

Splat!

Pancake Recipe
Makes approx 4 - 8 pancakes

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar (or brown)
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
 
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg, vanilla, and melted butter; mix until slightly lumpy.

Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. This is the time to add any berries.

Once there are larger bubbles appearing (approx 2-4 minutes), flip the pancake and cook for another two minutes or until turning golden brown.

Serve hot!

Apple Butter

Slowly making my way through all the apples... we are now at the ones with bruises and not really the kind you'd want to pull out and munch on. I've been craving apple butter and pop overs...

I read many recipes like this and this about apple butter and how long to cook it and what spices to add in and what apples to use and how many apples, etc. So per usual I made it up into my own recipe.

I used whatever apples were in my bag. I recall them being Spartan apples and Empire apples. It doesn't really matter which ones you use, but it will change the amount of sugar you will want to add to the butter as it could end up being more tart or more sweet. 

If you want to make apple sauce, you can do the same thing but take it out between the 4-8 hour mark, depends on how chunky you want your apple sauce to be.

Sugar and spice and everything nice!

Set it and forget it!!! (yay infomercials!)

about 6 hours in

Food processing at 12 hours (or immersion blender)

Look how smooth it is!! It was also hot.

Venting the top to remove moisture to help thicken. Yes, those are chop sticks.

Refrigerated over night

Apple butter and pb for breakfast!

I've decided that apple butter is pretty much up there on easiest things to cook and it smells awesome and looks impressive.

Next time I would try and make a Naked Apple Butter which has minimal spices and sugar added to it. I also want to try canning it for future use or gifts. This time around I'm going to freeze it in ice cube trays and then store in a Ziploc bag. It should store in the fridge for a few weeks.

There are many uses of apple butter some include (though not tested yet): mix in oatmeal, baking substitute, marinade, on toast, in a sandwich,

1 crock pot (8-12 apples) yields about 1 to 2 quarts of apple butter which is 3-4 jars.

I even have labels! (Thanks mom!)

Update: Since I first started writing this post, I made another batch with the rest of the apples (hallelujah!). I used 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. I slow cooked it on low for 12 hours (over night), pureed it in the food processor, and then refrigerated it. I was going to work and 8 hours seemed a bit much. Already this one is thicker! I put it back in the slow cooker for another 3 hours with the top cracked to let it thicken some more. This one is a thicker, more tart, more apple-y tasting one.

Next time, I would try different spices such as nutmeg allspice or cloves next time. You can also combine different fruits by including some pears with the apples too

Apple Butter
8 med apples, peeled (optional) and sliced
2 cups sugar, I thought it was sweet and would try 1 cup next time
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon, heaping

Combine it all in the slow cooker, set it to low. Leave it for 6 hours for an amazing smelling chunky apple sauce, 10-16 for apple butter. The longer you leave it in, the thicker and more condensed flavor it will have. When it was done I pulsed it in the food processor until smooth.

Chicken with Caramelized Onions and Apples

Looking to cook your apples with things other than cinnamon and sugar? Try this savory dinner recipe! This unlikely combo is a filling and satisfying meal.

Onions!

Add Apples & Vinegar

Add Chicken!

Combine with Raviolis!

Chicken with Caramelized Onions and Apples

Olive Oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 medium apple, diced (I used the crank apple peeler then cut the apple into 6ths)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 chicken breast, diced
Salt & Pepper

Heat oil in the pan, add onions. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until onions are golden and a deep brown
Add apple and vinegar, cook for 5 minutes or until apples are starting to get tender. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Saute in the same pan until it starts to get golden. [Depending on how big the pieces of chicken are, this could be added at the same time as the apple and vinegar.]

The original recipe says to serve with a slice of provolone cheese on top. I don't eat cheese like that or have it in the house. Instead, I made 4 jumbo raviolis according to the package directions. When the chicken was cooked I tossed the raviolis into the pan with a pat of butter and mixed it around get everything all nicely coated.

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Apple!? Yes of course! This is a very simple and straightforward recipe.

This is supposedly for 6 pancakes but I made two and I ate them both for dinner. I also made some bacon and considered making eggs... but that was beyond me. Anyways.

Heat a small pat of butter on a frying pan on medium heat.
Saute 1 small/med size apple with 3/4 tsp of cinnamon. Stir around for about 3-5 minutes. Apples should be tender but not mushy.

Meanwhile, combine your favorite pancake batter. Mine is store brand "just add water." To this 1 cup of plain buttermilk pancake mix, I add 2/3 water (according to the directions), plus an additional tsp of cinnamon and a tsp of vanilla. Combine but it should be lumpy.

Melt a small pat of butter in the frying pan, or use the pan that you just made bacon in. In the hot skillet, pour in the pancake batter and sprinkle in the apple pieces (you can always mix it in the batter, but don't over mix or you will have tough pancakes!).

When it starts to bubble at the top/the edges start to look like pancake edges/when you shake the pan it moves slides on the pan, shove a spatula underneath and attempt to flip it. Then let it cook up until its crispy on the outside and there is no runny batter leaking out the side.

Enjoy!

Apple Crisp

What is another dish that uses up lots of apples? Apple Crisp! Found this recipe on Allrecipes.com and it seemed worthy with all the reviews and rankings. So why not?!

This used 8 apples, almost 10 cups worth!

Apple Crisp
makes 12 servings

Dice/slice/chop the apples and put them in the 9x13 pan.
Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 tsp ground cinnamon
   Note: recipe calls for 1/2 cup of water. We used it, it was very soupy. I would omit next time.

Combine 1 cup oats, 1 cup flour, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/4 baking soda, 1/2 cup melted butter. Pour this mix over the apples. (Forgot to take a picture!)

Bake at 350F for about 45 minutes. It will be golden on the top and bubbling at the bottom.

Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream!

Mini Apple Pies

Made these last year and received some good reviews. So I brought it back for this year. Last year I was trying to find a good apple pie recipe and there are just so many out there! I looked and looked but just decided to pick this one.

This pie recipe is so easy! The crust is all made in my stand mixer, chilled for an hour. During that time I prep the apples. Chop em, cover them in cinnamon, sugar, and butter. When the dough is all set, roll it out, put it in the pie plate and then put in the apples.

For the mini apple pies, I used the left over topping from the Apple Strudel Muffins and some of the remaining dough. Last year I used Paula Dean's Crunch Topping to top some of the pies. (Also check out the apple crisp!)

Apple pie is a choice your own adventure, you can make so many different combos of toppings, crusts, sizes, and glazes.

Roll out dough (thinner than you would for regular pie), cut out circles for the muffin tins

Lines muffin tins, insert the dough

Add filling!!

Top with crumble, dough, or whatever you want!

Update 3/29 - Yum! I halved the recipe and oh man, in less than an hour we had hot fresh apple pies!

these little glass dishes were GREAT for this!

so flaky and yummy!!!!

updated 10/13/2015:

Apple Pie
makes 1 pie

Crust
2 1/2 cups flour 380g
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
1 cup butter
1/4 - 1/2 cup ice water

Filling
7 medium apples 780g, 3 granny smith, macintosh
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 tbsp + 1 tsp cornstarch

In mixer (or food processor) combine flour, salt, sugar. Add butter and combine until it looks like coarse sand. Then slowly add the water. You are waiting for the dough to just come together in a ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Meanwhile, slice the apples. Diced for smaller pies and larger slices for regular size pies. Combine with the rest of the filling ingredients and stir to combine. Cook on the stove for 5-8 minutes then put to the side to cool. 

Take the dough out of the fridge and flour the surface.

Now you have some options...

Hand Pies
Roll the dough very thin and use a bowl or really large cookie cutter into a circle. Fill one side with a couple tablespoons of the filling and fold in half. Pinch the edges together. Tip: cut the apples on the smaller side.

Mini Pies
(cupcake tins or glass pyrex dishes which are great because then you can serve them that way or pop covers on them for later!)
Roll the dough thinner than if you are making one big pie. Cut out a circle that is about 4 inches. This is big enough to go in the bottom of the muffin tin. I used cupcake papers to line the tins. Put the dough into the tin, add the filling, top with another thin piece of dough/crumble topping/strudel topping. Note: You can also place strips of parchment paper in the bottom of the cupcake tin and place the bottom layer of dough over that. When the pie is done baking you can use the strips as handles for taking them out of the tins.

9 Inch Pies
Roll the dough on a well floured surface. You can use the rolling pin to help you get the dough over the bottom. Place into the bottom of the pan, add filling, cover with more rolled dough, crumble topping, or strudel topping, etc. If you top with another piece of rolled dough be sure you put a slit into it so the steam can vent and the pie won't bubble over.

After the pies are assembled I do a milk wash (pour some milk in a bowl and use a pastry brush to "paint" the pie crust) and sprinkle with some sugar.

Bake at 425 for about 15 minutes and then drop to 350 for 30-40 minutes. The crust will be golden. Let the pie cool for a bit because the large ones won't slice well and the smaller ones will make you think you just ate lava.

Apple Strudel Muffins

One thing you'll learn about me, is that when I cook or bake, it is not in moderation.

I went apple picking with some friends today and we decided we needed the large 20 lb bag to fill with apples and we would split it between 3 of us. This is an absurd amount of apples. Then we acquired another bag so now we have 2 large bags (potentially 40 lbs) to fill with apples. Entirely unnecessary. And yet... SO FUN! I highly recommend apple picking if you haven't been in a few years.

Also, if you don't have one, you should probably invest in an apple slicer/corer/peeler. They are about $15 - $20 and you can buy one at a store like Bed, Bath and Beyond. I'm guessing this goes in the Beyond section of the store. Yes, I went there. :)

So we came back to my apartment to do some serious baking. In about 4 hours we made 2 double batches of Apple Strudel Muffins, a big pan of Apple Crisp, and 2 dozen Mini Apple Pies.

Apple strudel muffins was a recipe I found last year when I went apple picking and found myself in the same situation. These were a special request to make again! This is a simple muffin recipe found online.

Some things to note: this is a thick cake type batter, it won't rise very much. We also reduced the sugar to 3/4 cup from 1 cup.

Wet ingredients

Added in dry ingredients and apples

Regular size and mini size muffins

Apple Strudel Muffins
makes 12-15 normal size muffins

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped apples (about 2 large apples)

Topping
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tbsp flour
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp butter

Preheat over 375F. Prepare muffin tins with papers or grease them
In a bowl mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
In the mixer bowl beat together butter, sugar, and eggs until smooth. Mix in vanilla. Stir in apples. Slowly add in flour mix.
Spoon the batter into the tins.
In bowl or food processor, cut butter, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon until coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the tops of the muffins.
Bake about 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.