We bought a bushel of Winesap Apples at the Farmer’s Market over the weekend. I think I underestimated how many apples were in a bushel!

First order of business: applesauce!

I canned 4 quarts and 5 pints in the course of two small batches. I added just a small amount of sugar (1 cup per batch) and cinnamon. I have never been so thankful to own an immersion blender in my life! It came out great, though!

I have an online friend who went apple picking over the weekend and mentioned making apple chips. I have tried dehydrating apples before and got the leathery result, but wanted the crisp ones like you find in the store, so I went looking online. Why I never even considered baking the apples low and slow is beyond me.

I gave it a try…success!

These have been a huge hit with my toddler, who will not eat fruit right now for anything. He also gobbled the applesauce, so score two for Mama!

Of course this left about two dozen apples left laughing at me on the counter, even after hubby has taken one in his lunch every day this week.

I wanted a baked treat, but nothing traditional, like pie or apple crisp. Then I thought….

Blondies

I cannot tell you how incredible these came out. I had to pack them all up and send them to work with hubby because I ate 4 of them last night! The perfect cross between a brownie and apple pie…moist, yet hints of sweet cinnamon-y crunch from the sprinkling of cinnamon sugar on top.

I got a call from hubby about two hours after he got to work. I was already known as a baking queen by his coworkers, but was told that I got raised to goddess status with these. I just laughed, told him to thank them all for the swelled head, and thought I better get this one blogged before I forgot my recipe!

Nothing says fall like a yummy treat, full of apple goodness. Its finally cooled off a little in the Sunshine State, and it was time to celebrate it. This fit the bill, for sure.

Apple Pie Blondies

A Lobster And Fishsticks Creation

• 1 c. canola oil
• 1/2 c. white granulated sugar
• 3/4 c. light brown sugar, packed
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 2/3 c. all purpose flour
• 2 c. apples, peeled, cored and diced small (1/2 inch or so) – about 2 large apples
• 1 tbsp white sugar, and 2 tsp cinnamon, combined and set aside

mix ingredients (all but last two) in the order listed – batter will be very thick – mix until all dry ingredients are incorporated, but try not to over mix, and fold in apples as gently as possible

press batter down into a greased 9 X 13 pan with the back of a large spoon to even out.

sprinkle with cinnamon sugar evenly

bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes, until just beginning to brown on top

allow to cool before cutting to prevent crumbling