An Apple a Day …

They say that if you eat an apple every day that it will help boost your immune system thus ”keeping the doctor away”. But, is there any truth in it? Yes! Apples are full of vitamins and minerals and they are an excellent source of fiber (especially if you leave the skin on). So, what are some ways to work apples into your diet? Check these out for some inspiration!

Bloomin’ Apples

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a54878/bloomin-apples-recipe/

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 4 tbsp. melted butter
• 1 tbsp. packed brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 4 apples
• 8 chewy caramel squares
• Breyers Natural Vanilla ice cream, for serving
• Caramel, for drizzling

Instructions

For oven

1. Preheat the oven to 375° and grease a medium baking dish with cooking spray. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, sugars, and cinnamon.
2. Slice top off of each apple then use a melon baller (or a teaspoon) to scoop out the core. Using a paring knife, make two circular cuts in the apple. Place the apple cut side down on a cutting board and slice crosswise, being careful not to cut through the core.
3. Place cut apples in a small baking dish. Fill each apple with two caramel squares, then brush melted butter mixture on top. Bake until the apples are tender, about 30 minutes.
4. Serve warm with ice cream and drizzle with caramel.

For air fryer

1. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, sugars, and cinnamon.
2. Slice top off of each apple then use a melon baller (or a teaspoon) to scoop out the core. Using a paring knife, make two circular cuts in the apple. Place the apple cut side down on a cutting board and slice crosswise, being careful not to cut through the core.
3. Fill each apple with two caramel squares, then brush melted butter mixture on top. Place cut apples in the basket of the air fryer. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Serve warm with ice cream and drizzle with caramel.

French Apple Cake

https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/french-apple-cake.html#tabbox

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling over cake
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons dark rum
• 2 baking apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith) (3-1/2 – 4 cups chopped)
• Confectioners’ sugar (optional), for decorating cake

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Grease a 9-inch springform or regular cake pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray. If using a regular cake pan, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and grease again.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Using a handheld mixer with beaters or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and rum. Don’t worry if the batter looks grainy at this point; that’s okay. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the chopped apples.
4. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and even the top. Sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool on a rack. Run a blunt knife around the edges of the cake. If using a springform pan, remove the sides. If using a regular cake pan, carefully invert the cake onto the rack, remove the parchment paper, then gently flip the cake over and place right-side-up on a platter. Using a fine sieve, dust with confectioners’ sugar (if using). Cake can be served warm or room temperature, plain or with lightly sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
5. Freezer Friendly Instructions: The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, cover it tightly with aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving.