It may not be Fall right now but that doesn't mean we can't still enjoy yummy apple baked goods! This recipe is for a soft-baked cookie - lightly spiced and not too sweet, just perfect.
Besides, it's my Grandma's recipe so you know it has to be good.
Now I never actually met my Grandma Dot - she passed away before I was born. But from the stories I’ve heard she was a hard worker, very outspoken, and feisty. Whenever I make these cookies I think of her and am honored to carry on a piece of her. We make these cookies pretty regularly throughout the year, especially when we get together with family (they are my Dad’s favorite cookies).
Before you start don't forget to read our 5 Tips for Making Perfect Cookies - Everytime!
Grandma Dot's Apple Cookies
Makes about 3 dozen, 2-inch cookies.
CREAM
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Add 2 beaten eggs
COMBINE
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Sift dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture.
Fold in 1 1/2 cups diced raw, unpeeled apples, coated with 1 tbsp brown sugar. (I usually chop my apples a little on the bigger side.) Dough will be crumbly.
Drop by small teaspoons full and BAKE at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
These cookies are best enjoyed the same day you make them; they tend to get soggy the longer they sit because of the moisture in the apples. Usually they're gobbled up fast though, so this generally isn't an issue.
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This is one of my favorite hearty side dishes for anytime of year, though it probably is best suited for Fall. Very quick and easy to put together too! | This post contains affiliate links |
I call it my Harvest Side Dish because it's basis is Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Blend. I'm a huge fan of this mix, even on it's own. It makes a great side to dinner any night of the week and adding some of my favorite fall foods in there just makes it even more harvest-y (that's a word, right?).
Harvest Side Dish
Prep time 10 mins | Cook time 25 mins | Serves up to 8
Ingredients
1/2 a package of Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Blend (if not available you can substitute a mix of Israeli couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans, and red quinoa, totaling 1 1/4 cups)
1 small onion
1 apple
1 package of apple chicken sausage
1/2 tsp sage
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Cook Harvest Grains Blend (or your substitution) according to package directions.
While that's cooking, cut up sausage and onion and saute in pan until cooked through, seasoning with sage, salt, and pepper. Add in chopped apples towards the end (I like them soft but not mushy).
Once all your cooked ingredients are finished, mix together in a large bowl and serve hot.
Enjoy - told you that was easy!
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Perusing Pinterest the other day I came across a pin for these Apple Rose Tarts from Martha Stewart and thought they'd be perfect to make for Valentine's Day!
Since this adorable idea was from Martha Stewart, I'll lead you there to see the full directions. However, my one complaint about the article was that it didn't give a lot of specifics, so please read on for my tips and lessons learned.
Apple Rose Tarts: Tips + Tricks
- The article suggests buttering and flouring your muffin tin first, which I did, but I can't stress how important it is to really thoroughly do it. I thought I had done a good job coating the pan but when it came time to take the tarts out they didn't come out easy and quite a few had some damage.
- For the pie crust I went the easy route and used a box of classic Jiffy Pie Crust mix and had enough dough to line a 12-cup muffin tin.
- For the apples I used 3 Gala apples. I didn't have a mandolin and had to hand-cut them.. I definitely think a mandolin would have been a lot easier.
- Using 3 apples I ended up with enough thin slices to make 6 roses, and enough left over apple pieces to fill the other 6 muffin cups. (*In summary, 1 apple with make 2 apple roses.. so If you wanted to make 12 apple rose tarts you would need 6 apples)
- There wasn't any hint at how much sugar and cinnamon to use, so I filled a cereal bowl about halfway with white sugar (brown sugar would have probably tasted better but it would have browned the apple roses) and probably a teaspoon of cinnamon. When it came time to sprinkle the mixture on the apple slices I was very generous.
- The apple slices need to be really soft and pliable in order to roll them well. I had to microwave them until they were soft and steaming in order to roll them without breaking.
- Once you start rolling the apple slices, don't stop! Roll them tightly and place right into the prepared muffin pan - make sure it's close by.
- Let the tarts cool completely before trying to take them out of the tin.
The Apple Rose Tarts were a big hit! Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
Check out our other Valentine's posts:
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