Apple Butter Breakfast Bars

Today I'm sharing part 3 of my apple theme week, which includes one of my favorite foods: apple butter. Apple butter has been one of my favorites since I was little, I remember my grandmother giving us cottage cheese with a huge dollop of apple butter on top for a snack, so good.

These apple butter breakfast bars give me that warm fuzzy feeling the same way the apple cinnamon muffins do. They're sweet with a bit of a streusel-like crunch and a layer of warm apple butter in the middle.

I under-baked my bars a bit because I wanted them to be a little gooey from the apple butter on the inside, with just a slight crunch from the oats on top.

Apple Butter Breakfast Bars
Author: Herbivore Haven
Makes: 16 bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup apple butter

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil and lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon.
3. Add the softened butter and beat the mixture with an electric mixer on low until mixture is crumbly.
4. Spread about 2 cups of the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan.
5. Spread the apple butter evenly over the oat mixture.
6. Spread the remaining oat mixture evenly over the apple butter layer and gently press the mixture down into the pan with your hands.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
8. Keeping the bars on the foil, remove the bars from the pan to a cooling rack to cool completely.
9. Cut into bars. You should get about 16 bars. Enjoy!

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Cinnamon-Sugar Baked Apple Chips

I spent my morning enjoying a big bowl of crisp homemade apple chips with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar while I scrolled through Pinterest. Life is good.

Baked apple chips are usually one of those things I find it very hard to leave the store without. They're crispy, crunchy, light, cinnamon-y, healthy, and addictive. So I wanted to start making them at home. I used Red Delicious apples, but you can use whatever kind of apple you prefer. You can also use any kind of spice you want to top them, or just leave them plain!

Side Note: A mandolin would be perfect for this, as would a corer. I don't have either, but I still managed!

Cinnamon-Sugar Baked Apple Chips
Author: Herbivore Haven

Ingredients:

• 3 large apples (I used Red Delicious)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Core the apples and slice the apples very thin, about 1/8 of an inch. Slice the apples evenly so the apples crisp up evenly.
2. In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar. Spray two 9x13 baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray. Place the apple slices on the baking sheets in a single layer. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar over each slice. Flip the apple slices over and repeat.
3. Bake at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven, flip over each apple slice and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the edges are crinkled and crisp.
4. Allow the apple chips to cool for about 30 minutes. The slices will crisp up more as they cool.

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Apple Cinnamon Muffins

It's Muffin Monday again! This week's theme will be apples, because, lately, my three favorite foods are apples, anything with cinnamon and... muffins. Annnd because fall is almost over and I'm not exactly mentally prepared for winter.

These muffins are light with a hint of cinnamon and bits of apple in each bite, with a drizzle of cinnamon glaze over the top. They're the kind of muffins that are comforting and give you the "warm fuzzies". Cozy fall flavors in one little perfect muffin? Yes please.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Author: Herbivore Haven, Adapted from Add a Pinch
Makes: 18 Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk

For the apples:

• 2 cups diced apples (about 2 small apples, I used Red Delicious)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons flour

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray or line each muffin cup with muffin papers.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.
3. In a small bowl, toss together the diced apples, 2 teaspoons of flour and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to coat apples; set aside.
4. In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and room temperature butter until lightened in color, about 3 minutes. Add an egg, fully incorporating it into the mixture before adding the other. Mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Fold in the flour mixture, and then the milk. Stir until just combined. Fold in diced apples and scoop mixture into prepared muffin tins, filling about 3/4 full.
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
7. In the meantime, make the glaze: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well until there are no clumps. Add milk for a thinner consistency. Add powdered sugar for a thicker consistency.
8. Remove the muffins from the oven and allow to cool in the muffin tin for about 5 minutes. Remove the muffins and transfer to a cooling rack. Drizzle the glaze on each muffin and enjoy!

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