Apple Cinnamon Bake

I'm somewhat of a maniac in the kitchen sometimes.

Or perhaps that's a bit strong of a word.  What I mean to say is somethimes I get a bit crazy.  Crazy ingredients, crazy foods, crazy behavior.  

While this specific recipe has no crazy ingredients, and no outragious outcome, I did feel a bit funny while making it.  That feeling probably had to do with the fact that I had next to no idea what I wanted to make.

The only thing I was sure of when I started making this dish was that apples would be involved.  That is it.

Everything else that's in it was just thrown together because of split-second decisions and thoughts of what would be easiest to fish out of my extremely full refridgerator/pantry.  See what I mean by crazy?

I'm just glad I managed to keep track of everything I was dumping into my mixing bowl, because the end product was pretty darn delicious.

Juicy apples baked just until soft, a crunchy oat topping, and a generous coating of cinnamon to top it all of.  Why yes, crazy is a good thing sometimes.

Apple Cinnamon Bake

• 3 apples, cut into cubes
• 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 tbsp buckwheat groats
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (in addition to the 1/2 tbsp)
• 1-2 tbsp applesauce (start with 1 tbsp)

Preheat oven to 380F.  Combine apples, cinnamon, and maple syrup in a large glass baking dish and toss to coat all apple pieces.  In another small bowl, combine remaining ingredients and mix to combine.  If mixture is too dry, add another tbsp applesauce.  Sprinkle oat mixture over apples, trying to make it as evenly spread as possible.  Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the apples are soft but still have a bit of a crunch to them, and the oat topping has browned.  Let cool.  Serve topped with ice cream, whipped cream, or a dollop of greek yogurt.

I find it sort of awesome how my extreme random-ness in the kitchen somehow turned into a mouth-watering masterpiece.  For example, the apple are baked only slighty, and not until really mushy like in other apple recipes, not because I actually wanted them like that, but because I was too impatient to let them cook enough.  And yet, I think I like the apples with a slight crunch much more than how they're normally baked.

It's just fate doing it's thing, I suppose.  I can say for sure, however, that this crazy (and super successful) apple experiment will most definitely lead to more kitchen outragious-ness.  Most likely involving lots of random ingredients thrown together.  I doubt they'll all turn out as good as this, but, hey, you don't know until you try!

Have you ever had a kitchen experiment go fabulously well?

Revisited Recipe of the Day:

Kid-Friendly No Bake Cinnamon Rolls

Peach Blueberry Breakfast Crumble

Never underestimate the peach.

 I mean it.

Take this from someone who's done it before, and don't you ever walk past those quiet little peaches at the farmers market. 

Because when they're good, they're good. 

A perfectly juicy peach can change your view on life.

And your view on crumbles.

Peach Blueberry Crumble - inspired by this recipe
(makes 6 to 8 servings)

Fruit Part:

• 4 peaches, cored and chopped
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp honey (or another liquid sweetener for vegan option)
• 1 tbsp all purpose flour

Crumble:

• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• pinch salt
• 4 tbsp buckwheat groats
• 1/2 cup applesauce plus 1-2 tbsp more if needed
• 2 tbsp honey (or another liquid sweetener)

Preheat oven to 350F.  In a bowl mix together chopped peaches, blueberries, cinnamon, honey and flour.  Make sure all the fruit is evenly coated with the spice and honey mixture.  Pour fruit into a 13x9 pan and set aside.  In another bowl mix oats, flour, cinnamon, salt, and buckwheat groats.  Blend in applesauce and honey, adding more applesauce if mixture is too dry.  Sprinkle crumble oven fruit in clumps, making sure all the fruit is covered.  Bake in oven for 40 minutes.  Serve warm or cold.

Can you believe that this qualifies as a healthy breakfast?

After devouring my huge bowl this morning, without hesitation, I certainly can't.  Though it isn't your traditional crumble, it sure tastes amazing.  I was sneaking little nibbles all day!

I also give you full permission to top this with whatever delicious toppings you can come up with.

Greek yogurt drizzled with honey was especially heavenly.

But, no matter how you eat it, I promise this crumble will make you fall in love with peaches and healthy desserts.


Yes, it is that good.

Berry Cobbler

Can you guess what this is?

I'll give you a hint: It's bursting with all the flavors of berry season

It's a berry cobbler!

Doesn't it look delicious?

Strawberry Blueberry Fruit Cobbler Squares

• 1 1/2 cups oat flour (to make oat flour, you can grind oats in a food processor)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 and 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup strawberries
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or agave
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a pan of choice (I used a 10x10, which made very thin squares)  Stir together the first six ingredients.  Spread just enough of the mixture (dough) onto the bottom of the pan to cover it completely.  Put the leftover dough off to the side.  In a different bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients until the berries are all coated with the liquid-y mixture.  Layer the fruit on top of the dough that is already in the pan.  Next, put any remaining dough you have on top of the fruit.  It's ok if it doesn't completely cover it. Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven, and be sure to let the cobbler cool before cutting it into squares.

This is the perfect dessert for summer.  It's got a real outdoors-y feel and is full of all the flavors available during the warmers months.

However, I had a square a couple days ago while it was pouring rain outside and it tasted pretty darn good, so I guess this berry crumble could just be the perfect dessert for whenever.

Pair it with some fresh fruit and whipped cream and you're in good shape.  Also, this berry cobbler is super portable because you can cut it into squares and take it anywhere you like.

I think it's one of the best desserts out there!