Easy Apple Desserts and Benefits of Apples

Recipe for Apple Brown Betty and Applesauce Cookies

© Carol Rzadkiewicz

Oct 13, 2009

Apples, apples, they’re everywhere, especially in the autumn of each year. Moreover, the choices in apples are virtually endless, for example, there’s Anna, Cherry Pippin, Fuji, Hudson Golden Gem, Jacob’s Strawberry, Red Delicious, Quebec Bell, Golden Delicious, Gala, Granny Smith, Bailey Sweet, Baldwin, Windsor, and the list goes on and on. In fact, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of varieties of apples, some of them tangy, some tart, some sweet, some mellow, but all of them crisp and juicy, and all of them not only good to eat but also nutritious.

Health Benefits of Apples

This autumnal fruit has many health benefits; for example, apples contain no fat, cholesterol, or sodium but do contain small amounts of potassium, and all of these factors combined make apples especially good for the heart. Apples also help people maintain healthy blood pressure and a healthy weight. And if that isn’t enough to put apples high on everyone’s dietary list, “scientific studies suggest eating apples on a regular basis may help prevent certain diseases and improve overall health” (aboutapples.com).

Easy Apple Desserts

Apples are tasty treats right out of the crisper or, for that matter, right off the tree; however, they are especially delicious in Apple Brown Betty and Applesauce Cookies, two desserts that even the most finicky of eaters will love.

Recipe for Apple Brown Betty

Ingredients:

• 2 and 1/2 cups soft bread cubes, firmly packed
• 4 cups finely chopped tart apples
• 3/4 cup seedless raisins
• 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/3 cup water

Preparation:

1. Sprinkle 1/3 cup bread cubes in a greased baking dish.
2. Combine apples, raisins, sugar, and spices.
3. Spread 1/2 cup of the mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish.
4. Repeat layers of 1/3 cup bread cubes and apple mixture, reserving 1/2 cup of bread cubes for topping.
5. Top with remaining bread cubes.
6. Pour butter, lemon juice, and water over the top.
7. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hours.

(Serves 6)

Recipe for Applesauce Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 egg
• 1 and 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 teaspoons soda
• 2 and 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preparation:

1. Cream together sugar, shortening, and eggs.
2. Dissolve soda in applesauce.
3. Mix applesauce in with sugar, shortening, and eggs.
4. Stir in flour, spices, and salt.
5. Add nuts and raisins.
6. Drop several inches apart onto greased cookie sheet.
7. Bake at 300 degrees for approximately 15 minutes.

(Yields 30 cookies)

Reference:

Apple Varieties and Apple Health, retrieved October 12, 2009 from allaboutapples.com

Apple Brown Betty Recipe

Applesauce Cookie Recipe

Types of Apples

Print Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds