Maple and Cinnamon baked Apples (or Pears)

2 large hard pears or apples (fuji, rome, pippin, granny smith, jonathan)
2 tsp pure maple syrup or agave
3 tsp water
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbs raisins (black or golden)

1. Preheat oven to 375'
2. Slice off tops of apples or pears and set aside.
3. Core apples, making sure not to poke a hole in the bottom of the apple. Use a knife or corer or spoon.
4. In a small bowl mix together maple syrup, water, and cinnamon.
5. Place the apples into a baking dish and divide the raisins (apx 2 tsp) into each apple or pear.
6. Then fill with the liquid mixture. Dont worry if it overflows or does not reach the top. Replace the tops.
7.  Cover with foil and cut 3 slits in the foil to allow steam to escape
8. Bake for 35-45 minutes
9. Add extra maple syrup if desired

Cherry Cinnamon Apple Bake

1 cup cherries, cut (discard pit)
2 apples, cored and chopped
3 tbs raisins (black or golden)
1 tbs cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

1. Spray baking dish with oil. Add fruit mix and cover. Bake at 375' for 45 minutes or until apples are soft.
2. Wait for it to cool and enjoy.

Red Velvet Brownies (made with beets)

Sound little gross? Well they are not. The finished product has a slight hit of beet flavor but the chocolate taste definitely is much stronger.

 They sure are yummy! :)

1 (14 oz) can of beets, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup melted butter (or 1 stick)
1 cup sugar (I know thats a lot of sugar!! I am curious if I could substitute some of the butter and sugar for applesauce??)
1 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup plus 2 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips. I used dark chocolate.


1. Preheat oven to 350' (Coat a pan with cooking spray. I use a stoneware baking pan so no spray needed)
2. Puree beets in a food processor until smooth. I used my magic bullet. (I seriously LOVE that machine)
3. Whisk together butter and sugar until smooth. Add vanilla. Then whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in beets.
4. Whisk together flour and cocoa powder in a separate bowl. Then mix into beet mixture until just combined. It took me awhile to get it to blend together at first.
5. Bake for 30 minutes. OR until toothpick comes out almost clean.
6. Cool, then cut.

Eat, but SHHHH dont tell people your secret until after they have tasted one.
My husband loved these brownies then I told him that I made them with beets. He made a 'stink' face, then said "well they are still really good anyways."

*Its nice because the natural sweetness and thick texture of the beets keep the brownies tender.

Enjoy!

*Christine*

Sunshine Muffins

(From my friend Eileen, thank you)

3 eggs
1tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup oil or butter
2 cups grated carrots (about 5-6 long)
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup poppy seeds
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
1 ripe banana
1 TBS cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups whole wheat flour

Beat wet ingredients and carrots. Mix together dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients. Mx together until just moistened. Bake 18- 20 minutes in 350' oven.

So yummy! I love how all the flavors combine so well together. These are hearty muffins too!

ENJOY!!!

*Christine*

Whole Wheat Waffles

You will need a waffle iron for this recipe. 


1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 eggs (or egg replacement, for this recipe it will be 2 tablespoons ground flax seed and 6              tablespoons water) 
1 3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (your choice. I like to mix several together- walnuts, almonds, pecans, and sunflower seeds) 




1. Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Make a hole in the center for liquid ingredients.


2. In another bowl combine eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. 


3. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir until moist. It will be lumpy.


4. Pour 1 cup of batter onto grids of waffle iron (make sure it is lightly greased).


5. Repeat with remaining batter. Eat warm. Enjoy. 


**I enjoy eating waffles with:
*Fruit smoothie- chocolate banana smoothie or Mixed Fruit Smoothie  - I just dip them in these. 
*Peanut butter or almond butter and bananas
*Fresh fruit- bananas, strawberries, blueberries. (You could also use blackberries, peaches, raspberries, what fruit would you use?)
*Or with syrup.
*How do (or would) you eat your waffles?

*Christine*

Apple- Cranberry Oatmeal Bars

Apple- Cranberry Oatmeal Bars


1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter
1 cup applesauce (chunky if you have)
2/3 cup dried cranberries or blueberries
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon


In a medium bowl combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda. Using a pastry blender or mixer
cut in butter until it becomes a coarse mixture. Reserve 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture. Add applesauce, cranberries, and cinnamon. Mix. Pour into a flat rectangle baking dish. Bake 30-35 minutes in 350' oven.

Whole Wheat Muffins (with blueberries)

Whole Wheat Muffins (with blueberries) 
*These are not super sweet muffins. But, they are good. Think: a healthy muffin.  :)

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg (egg substitute is 1 tablespoon ground flax seed and 3 tablespoons water)
3/4 cup (soy) milk
1/4 cup cooking oil




For Blueberry muffins: add 1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
*optional: Streusel Topping (at bottom)

(Picture shown above does not have streusel topping)

Grease muffin cups (I use a stoneware pan that does not require greasing)

In a medium bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Mix and make a well/hole in the center.


In another bowl combine egg, milk, and oil. Mix and add to flour mixture. Stir until just moistened. 


Spoon into cups about two-thirds full. (Sprinkle *topping over muffin cups)


Bake 18-20 minutes at 400' (or until toothpick comes out clean). Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm. 


* Streusel Topping
combine: 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cut in 2 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped nuts, if desired