Apples, Apples, Apples!

Someone from church blessed my family with a HUGE bucket full of delicious apples last week. Not wanting any to go to waste we quickly started making everything we could think of that required apples. We of course made fresh apple juice and dried some in our dehydrator.

The kids wanted an apple pie, which presented a problem for me: I SUCK at making pie! I make the best cookies(in my not so humble opinion) pretty good cakes, bars and other sweet treats, but pie, nope. It seems to be the crust that gets me every time. Even my dear sweet grandmother thought I was a hopeless case when it came to making pie.

But guess what? I made THE BEST apple pie ever, crust and all! How you wonder? This SITE had step-by-step directions. I wish I'd found this years ago. I HIGHLY recommend it!

Next we were off seeking an applesauce recipe. It's not that I can't make it, I just never had before. Being a bit tired from all of the other treats, I was seeking something I could hopefully make in my crock pot and came across THIS recipe. All I can say about this one is YUM and YUM again! It wasn't quite like the mushy baby food substance you buy in the store, but almost like an apple pie filling. It was beyond yummy served on vanilla ice cream and makes an excellent pancake topping! I will be making this again for sure!

I never knew there was so much you could do with apples! Too bad my own tree didn't survive our billy goat! I will have to plant another soon!

Pumpkin Buns

These are so tasty! I got this recipe from Octobers Family Circle. They are very much like cinnamon rolls but with the added flavor of pumpkin, yum!!

Pumpkin Buns

1 envelope active dry yeast(about 2 1/2 tsp)

1/4 cup warm water

1 tsp plus 2 tablespoon granulated sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup(1/2 stick) butter

1 can (15 oz) solid pack pumpkin

5 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp salt

Filling:

1/2 cup(1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Glaze:

2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons milk

Sprinkle yeast over warm water in large bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of the granulated sugar; let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Beat in remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, the eggs, butter and pumpkin.

Gradually add 5 cups of the flour and the salt, scraping side of bowl, until soft dough forms. Turn out onto floured surface and knead remaining 1/2 cup flour into dough, adding more if sticky. Knead for 10 minutes, until smooth. Dough will be soft.

Grease a bowl; add dough. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 1/4 hours.

Coat two 13x9x2 inch baking pans with nonstick cooking spray.

Make Filling:

Mix butter, granulated and brown sugars, and cinnamon in a bowl.

Punch down dough. Roll out half onto a lightly floured surface to form a 16x10 inch rectangle. Spread with half the filling. Starting on one long side, roll up jelly-roll fashion. Pinch seam to close. Repeat with second half of dough and filling.

Cut each log crosswise into 12 generous 1 inch pieces. Arrange 12 pieces, cut-side down, in each prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap; let sit in a warm spot until buns double in size, about 30-45 minutes.

Heat oven to 350. Uncover pans and bake buns until they are golden brown and bubbly, 28-33 minutes.

Glaze:

Blend Confectioners' sugar and milk. Drizzle over buns(about 1/3 cup per pan) serve warm.

I made the dough on the dough setting of my bread machine, and saved much time! I highly recommend doing so. Just add wet ingredients first and yeast last.