Have you noticed that the price of apples has been falling almost as steadily as the price of gasoline?
Now is the time to stock up on apples, especially if you are pinching pennies in these tough economic times. Once you’ve loaded up your refrigerator (and pantry) with the nutritious fruit, then consider using them in the following easy to prepare recipes.
The first, for an Easy Apple Dip, is simple enough for your kids to make. It’s also a great way to get your children to eat fruit without complaining about doing so.
The second recipe for Apple Bread Pudding uses affordable ingredients and is also a cinch to make. The apples put a seasonal twist on this classic sweet treat that is sure to warm you up on a cool fall day.
EASY APPLE DIP
Ingredients:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese (softened)
1 8-ounce package frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
1 cup caramel ice cream topping
1cup toffee bits
Directions:
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add whipped topping and caramel, beating until smooth. Stir in toffee bits just before serving. Serve with apple slices.
APPLE BREAD PUDDING
Ingredients:
1 loaf French bread, cut into 1/2 inch slices
Butter
2 cups peeled and sliced apples
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup raisins
4 eggs, beaten
4 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk baking mix (or Bisquick)
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter slices of bread and place in a 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Spread apples over bread. Top with 1/2 cup of the nuts and all of the raisins.
In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, the 1/4 cup brown sugar, salt, vanilla, and lemon extract; pour over bread, pressing down to soak bread with milk mixture.
Combine baking mix, the remaining 1/2 cup nuts, and the 1/3 cup brown sugar; cut in the 3 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle over bread mixture.
Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.
Michele Cheplic writes about red-hot celebrities in POP CULTURE, fiery topics in PARENTS, sizzling recipes in FOOD, calorie burning exercises in FITNESS, and hot new kid-friendly crafts in FUN. Check out all of her articles here.
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