Mom’s Apple Squares

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar, plus 3/4 cup, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons canola oil
• 1/3 cup ice water
• 1 large egg, separated
• 4 cups thinly sliced firm tart apples, such as Granny Smith, Empire or Cortland, peeled if desired
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

PREPARATION

1. Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, salt and baking powder in a large bowl. Cut butter into small pieces and quickly rub them into the dry ingredients with your fingers until smaller but still visible. Add oil and toss with a fork to combine. Whisk water and egg yolk in a small bowl. Add to the flour mixture and stir until it begins to come together. Knead the dough with your hands in the bowl a few times until it forms a ball. Divide the dough in half and shape into 5-inch disks. Wrap each in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper.
3. Combine apples, the remaining 3/4 cup sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl.
4. Roll one portion of dough between sheets of parchment or wax paper into a 9-by-13-inch rectangle. Peel off the top sheet and invert the dough into the prepared pan. Peel off the remaining paper. Trim the dough so it covers just the bottom of the pan. Spread the apple filling evenly over the dough. Using the parchment or wax paper, roll out the remaining dough, invert it over the filling and trim the edges so it just covers the filling. Whisk the egg white in a bowl until frothy and evenly brush over the top crust. Lightly sprinkle the crust with additional sugar, if desired.
5. Bake until golden brown and bubbling, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool for at least 1 hour before cutting into 12 squares.

TIPS & NOTES

• Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the crust (Step 1), wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 6 months. | Equipment: Parchment paper

NUTRITION

Per serving: 253 calories; 10 g fat ( 3 g sat , 4 g mono ); 28 mg cholesterol; 37 g carbohydrates; 3 g protein;2 g fiber; 163 mg sodium; 49 mg potassium.

Carbohydrate Servings: 2 1/2

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 1/2 other carbohydrate, 2 fat

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Spiced Apple Pie Smoothie (vegan, gluten-free)

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

Yield: about 16 ounces, 2 generous smoothies

Smooth, creamy, refreshing and tastes like a slice of spiced apple pie in a cup.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups apple cider or apple juice

1 cup yogurt (vanilla, plain, or apple cinnamon; use regular, vegan, soy, coconut milk, or your favorite yogurt)

1/4 cup milk or non-dairy nut milk, optional (omit for a thicker smoothie)

1 medium ripe banana (previously frozen is ideal but not required)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

pinch nutmeg and/or cardamom, optional

sugar or sweetener (agave, stevia, maple syrup, etc.) optional and to taste

2 cups ice, optional and as necessary

Directions:

Combine all ingredients, except ice, in a large blender or Vita-Mix and blend until smooth and creamy, taking care any sweetener used has dissolved and is well incorporated. If desired, pour over ice or blend ice into the smoothie noting that this will water it down a bit; if time permits refrigerating or freezing smoothie to chill is recommending.

Tips: Pour excess portion(s) into glasses and freeze ahead for later (30 seconds in the microwave is what I do to thaw in a hurry); pour excess into bowls and freeze for apple pie frozen yogurt; or pour into Popsicle molds, paper cups, or ice cube trays and freeze for homemade frozen treats.

Optional: Add 1 to 2 ounces of Rum, Vodka, Marshmallow Vodka, Apple Vodka, Apple Schnapps, Gran Marnier or similar, per smoothie portion, or to taste. Or add 1 to 2 scoops of vanilla or plain protein powder. Use caramel sauce in the mixture or drizzled over the top before drinking.

Source: http://www.averiecooks.com/2012/02/spiced-apple-pie-smoothie.html

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