criss cross homemade applesauce

One of my best friends brought me a “sick day” care package full of saltine crackers, Redbox movies and cinnamon applesauce when I caught what the rest of the state of Texas seemed to have all season long. I forgot how much I love applesauce, so when I ran out of my six-pack I decided to try it on my own. A simple enough recipe that allows you to experiment with different flavors to show off your creative core.

Cinnamon Applesauce

2 c chopped apples (peeling optional)

1/4 c water

1 lemon half

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 vanilla bean

2 cinnamon sticks

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

Pinch of salt

1. Over medium high heat, in a large saucepan, combine apples, water, juice of lemon, vinegar, vanilla bean and cinnamon sticks. Bring to boil then simmer for 10-12 minutes until apples are tender. Remove from the heat discard vanilla bean and cinnamon sticks.

2. Mash apples. Add brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.

Recipe modified from Chocolate Moosey.

s’mores in a jar

click for how to video

Forget the stick. Enjoy summer’s best dessert sans the sticky mallow mess and burn ban smoke. All three classic ingredients are still used, just without the old school method. It’s easy to say “Kumbaya” with a mouthful of gram cracker summer.