Crock Pot Applesauce!

Hey kids! Fall is here! And with it, my canning ancestors' spirits are stirring my soul! Crock Pot Applesauce, anyone??
I got a great deal on some Gala apples yesterday and spent my late night me time peeling, coring and dicing 20 small apples. You could use 10 large apples instead.
All I had to do then was dump the apples, liquid and spices into my handy, beloved Crock Pot and then wait for morning!
I awoke to something amazing!! The fragrance, the feelings, the taste! I ran it all through the blender and then helped myself to a cup of warm, delightful applesauce! I'm thinking a dollop of cool whip would certainly be an appropriate addition!

My version of the recipe:

20 small gala apples, peeled, cored, diced

1 c Apple Juice (from concentrate)

Ground cinnamon and Pumpkin Pie Spice to taste. I was pretty generous.

1/4 to 1/3 c honey

8-10 hours in the crock pot. Run through blender or use immersion blender when done cooking.

Now I just need to get the canning gear ready!! I'm going to have to leave a bit in the fridge for myself though...... :)

Cupcakes!

Hey friends! My baby turns TWO this weekend!! I can hardly believe it!! As I have been contemplating what fun dessert we might put together for her, I have also been enjoying the recent youtube addition of nearly all the available episodes of Cupcake Wars. I have literally been watching a whole season every two days while doing my household chores! Talk about inspiration!
At the same time, I was going through my pantry to donate food to the kids' school food drive. I noticed that I have tons of cake mixes that need to be used. Of course a box mix would never be accepted on the tv show, but I live in busy mommy land so they are totally welcome here! Plus, I figured it had to be possible to make a box mix more gourmet and exciting by adding the right ingredients. So I jumped in and here are the cupcakes I came up with yesterday and today!

On the left is a Duncan Hines Red Velvet cake, with the top dipped in melted chocolate and butterscotch. (2 parts chocolate chips to 1 part butterscotch chips). I let that set up in the fridge, making a crunchy chocolate top, then iced it with cream cheese frosting.
I found this to be my more 'adult' cupcake as the sweetness was just enough and not overwhelming, and the colors just seem more mature.

The one on the right is a Betty Crocker Lemon cake, with fresh lemon zest and juice added to the batter, baked and then filled with Jell-O Sugar Free Lemon Pudding. The pudding really does the trick!! Yum!! I will definitely try the red velvet cake with some maybe vanilla or chocolate pudding inside next time!!
I topped it with the same cream cheese frosting, but had mixed in a packet of Duncan Hines Orange Cream flavoring.
This one is definitely the 'kids' cupcake!! My boy loved this one best of the two. I found it super yummy, especially because of the pudding, but the frosting was crazy sweet!! Too sweet for me, I needed a full glass of water after!

So I am out of eggs now but will pick up more today and try two more recipes tomorrow. I am also looking at various different frosting options. I am going to try a whipped cream frosting tomorrow and maybe a ganache.... :)
Stay tuned for yumminess!!!