strawberry applesauce {no sugar added}.

Strawberries have been on sale for the past 2 weeks at the grocery store so I have been stocking up. Besides eating large amounts of them plain, I have been on the prowl for yummy strawberry recipes. I was super excited to find this recipe. 

This was my first time making applesauce. I always figured it would take too long so I never bothered. This was delicious and easy and I can't wait to make more again with different variations. You literally cut up fruit, add water and cinnamon, and boil/simmer until you can mash it with a potato masher. Stick it in a blender until you get the consistency you like. That's all!

~

strawberry applesauce.
recipe adapted from lemon tree dwelling

ingredients:

8 cups peeled, chopped apples
4 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, sliced
½ cup water (or 1 cup for thinner consistency)
1 tsp. cinnamon

directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer until fruit is soft and you are able to mash it with a potato masher. This will take between 10-20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
4. Transfer applesauce to a blender and blend until smooth.

notes:

Original recipe calls for ½ cup sugar. I ommitted and applesauce was plenty sweet.

I cut recipe in half and it worked great.

apple fritter cake.

On the way-too-incredibly-rare occasion I get a doughnut, I always get apple fritters. I don't know what it is about them but I can't get enough (it probably helps they always seem to be bigger than a regular doughnut ;) ! 

I have found numerous DIY apple fritter recipes but most of them require frying and that just seems like a lot of work (maybe someday).  I was pumped to find this apple fritter cake and believe me, it was delicious! 

Perfect recipe for this beautiful fall, apple-picking weather we are having now. 

~

apple fritter cake from the domestic doozie

Ingredients:

For the batter:

3 cups flour

1/4 tsp. salt (I omitted)

1 cup white granulated sugar (I used 1/2 c stevia & 1/2 c white sugar)

4 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 cups milk (any kind)

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup butter, melted

6 small apples cored, peeled and diced (I used 2 very large apples & 1 small apple)

For the topping:

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp. flour

1 tbsp. cinnamon

For the glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

5 tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. Start by mixing all the ingredients for the batter (except the butter) together in a bowl. Once combined, carefully pour in the melted butter. Mix on SLOW speed so butter doesn't splash everywhere.
2.  Pour the batter into a greased 9x13 pan. Evenly distribute the apples over the top of the batter. 
3. In a separate bowl mix together the topping ingredients. Drop small scoops of it evenly over the apples. Topping will be thick.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. Depending on how many apples you put in and how juicy they were you may need to increase your time. If the top is getting too brown you can always cover with foil.
5. Combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze.
6. After you take it out of oven, let sit for 20 minutes and then pour the glaze all over the cake.

apple pie.

Sorry about the not so good pictures,
I took them all in the evening...oops!

Is fall really fall without apple pie? I'd definitely argue it isn't. 

There's nothing quite like making a yummy apple pie in your kitchen while looking outside at the leaves falling off trees and the beautiful fall weather! There's also nothing quite like eating a warm, delicious piece of homemade apple pie either.  As you can see, I believe apple pie is a staple fall dessert and you have to try this recipe! 

Some background on the recipe: when Grant and I got married in December, one my best friends (Hannah) and her mom made me a cookbook! It has so a lot of delicious recipes and this recipe is from that book. I am so thankful to her and her mom for sharing these with me! I hope you love it as much as I do.

Hannah and I in college :)

Also, Hannah made this apple pie recipe and she is sharing it on her blog too! On her blog, she shares about her love for the Lord, her delicious recipes, book reviews, and much more.

Check her out at http://feetuponmountains.blogspot.com/ !

Here's what you need:


2 Crust Pie

1/2 cup oil
5 Tbsp cold water
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt (I used about 1/4-1/2 tsp)

Apple Pie Filling

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
dash of salt (I left out)
6 cups thinly sliced apples 
(about 6 medium apples)

Here's what you do:

To make the 2 crust pie:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the oil and water until thickened.

2. In another bowl, mix together the flour and salt.

3. Pour the oil and water mixture into the flour mixture all at once. Mix with a fork until moist. Form into a ball. Divide the ball into halves.

4. Using 2 sheets of waxed paper, each about 18 inches long, roll one ball of dough between the sheets of waxed paper to form a circle. Line the pie pan with this crust. Roll out the other ball of dough to form the top crust once the pie has been filled.



To make the apple pie:

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. 

2. Mix sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in apples.

3. Put apple mixture into pastry-lined pie pan.

4. Cover apple mixture with top crust. Seal edges, then flute edges (optional).

5. Bake until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust, about 40-50 minutes.



Recipe Credit: Rachelle Gegg