Spicy Hermit Cookies

       This month's Recipe Redux theme is " A Food Memory That You Are Thankful For". Obviously very fitting given Thanksgiving is less than a week away! Foods are often connected with memories and for me my Mimi's famous hermits reminds me of special times spent with my family.
       My grandmother or "Mimi" as we call her was a high school cooking teacher and a wonderful home cook. Her award winning hermits are well known and loved by all that know her, and often make a showing around the holidays. They remind me of Christmas spent with family and our annual summer vacation to Ossipee, NH. Since my brother and I were young we have spent at least one week a summer at Ossipee Lake with my mom's side of the family. Even now after growing up and getting married I still make a point to spend time at the lake each summer. It is well known that my Mimi will come with her hermits in tow. I won't say that is why we all go but something we all look forward to enjoying!
       I know I will never be able to re-create her recipe perfectly but I thought I would attempt to give her hermit recipe a good healthy "redux" try. For a healthier spin I used vegetable oil spread instead of stick margarine, replaced some of the fat and sugar with applesauce and used part whole wheat flour.  The final product was indeed tasty, and may have to make an appearance this Christmas to see what Mimi and the rest of the family thinks!

Spicy Hermit Cookies

Makes about 24 cookies 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil spread
• 1/3 cup applesauce, unsweetened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a large standing mixer, blend butter, applesauce, sugars, egg and molasses.

3. Sift together the dry ingredients and add gradually to wet mixture, blending well.

4. Fold in raisins and craisins with a spatula or on a low mixer setting. 

5. Spread dough in two equal rolls onto an ungreased 15x10 jellyroll pan (I used a 17x 10 pan). Shape rows to an even thickness, leaving space for spreading between rows and on sides and ends. The thickness of the dough should be about the depth of the side of the pan.

6. Bake at 375 degrees for 14 to 15 minutes. Dough should be set with cracks still looking moist. Let cool for 10 minutes then score for size of hermit and then cool for another 10 minutes before removing from pan. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Applesauce Spice Cupcakes

            Hello fall and fall birthdays!  This past weekend we celebrated my mom's birthday as well as my husband's mom, aunt and brother's birthdays. We are so lucky to have family close by, and to be able to celebrate together. For dessert I came up with a fall-inspired birthday cupcake, with my own healthy twist of course!
            My inspiration for the dessert was apples. There is nothing like the taste of a juicy crisp apple at this time of year. My mouth is watering already! Apples not only help keep the doctor away, but are full of fiber, vitamins and minerals. One of my favorite ways to enjoy apples is in applesauce. Applesauce also makes a great fat substitute in baking. By replacing some of the fat with applesauce not only do you cut down the calories but add moisture to your baked good.

Below is my homemade applesauce recipe ....

APPLESAUCE

Ingredients

• 6 apples
• 2 cups of cider, or water
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions

1. Wash apples then cut apples into quarters (you do not need to peel or core apples).

2. Add cut apples and liquid into a large pot. Boil apples on medium high for 15 minutes or until soft.

3. Once apples are completely cooked let cool.

4. Add apple mixture to a colander and mash apples to remove skins and apple cores.

5. Add cinnamon to applesauce and stir to combine.

         I decided to use my homemade applesauce to make applesauce spice cupcakes. If you don't have the time or apples to make applesauce, store bought no sugar added applesauce works just as well!

Applesauce Spice Cupcakes

 with Maple Cinnamon Frosting

Makes: 12 cupcakes

Cupcake Ingredients

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup applesauce, no sugar added or homemade applesauce (see above)
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

Frosting Ingredients

• 2 ounces unsalted butter
• 2 ounces low fat cream cheese
• 1 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a standing mixer cream brown sugar and butter until combined.
3. Add in egg, maple syrup, applesauce and mix until combined.
4. Fold in flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt.
5. Distribute mixture evenly into a 12 cup muffin tin.
6. Bake for 20 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
7. While the cupcakes are baking put together the frosting. In a large bowel beat butter and cream cheese together until creamy. Then slowly add in powdered sugar. Once combined mix in cinnamon and maple syrup.
9. Once cupcakes completely cool, spread on frosting with a knife.

Suggestion: These cupcakes are also great as muffins (minus the frosting)!

Homemade Granola Bars

     Granola bars are one of my favorite on the go snacks. Not only are they tasty but easy to transport and enjoy on the go. As we all know, granola bars can be high in calories, but one benefit of granola bars is that they are perfectly portioned to prevent over indulgence. For my next recipe creation, I made my own granola bars using a few simple ingredients found in my pantry (and I bet yours too!).

     Too cut back on the calories and added sugars, I used just enough honey for a touch of sweetness and to help bind the oats. One of these granola bars contains only 165 calories, which is the perfect amount for a snack! For an even lower calorie version you can replace half of the oats with special K or another low sugar cereal  (i.e cheerios, corn flakes, bran cereal, rice crispies etc.)

Trail Mix Granola Bars

servings: 10
time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups of old fashioned oats (can replace 3/4 cup of oats with other low sugar cereal)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/4 cup craisins
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
• 3 Tbsp honey (can substitute with maple syrup or agave nectar)
• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter (can substitute with almond butter)

Directions

1. Toast oats on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, until oats are golden brown.

2. In a medium size bowl mix oats, cinnamon, almonds, and craisins together.

3. In a small sauce pan heat up peanut butter, honey, and vanilla stir until combined and smooth.

4. Pour peanut sauce over oat mixture and mix until combined.

5. Line a 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper, so the granola bars are easy to remove.

6. Place granola mixture into lined baking dish and press down firmly with hands or spatula until mixture is evenly spread out.

7. Place baking dish in freezer for 15-20 minutes to allow bars to harden, then remove and cut into 10 peices.

9. Place bars in air tight container and enjoy within the week. 

(To extend shelf life, place container in freezer. Take out 10-20 minutes before eating to thaw. )