February 09, 2009

Whipping up a batch of apple clusters


I came home starving today. Starving. Kick the cat out of the way and head straight for the kitchen starving. Does that ever happen to you? I ate a full healthy breakfast and lunch with a snack of carrot and celery sticks. And on the way home instead of thinking about reheating dinner I had visions of baked good dancing in my head.

One of my health challenges is my love affair with cookies. When I don't have the baking bug I end up eating organic oreo-type cookies, or maybe fig newtons. But I much prefer homemade cookies because after all the work of baking I'm a bit more likely to make them last. :-) And, of course I almost forgot, because I can make something satisfying with whole ingredients.

Today's creation: Apple Clusters. Despite being a "treat" food they are made of whole grains and natural sweeteners. If you like 'em sweeter, sprinkle with sugar before baking. Me, I like them as a sort of cookie/granola hybrid snack.

Apple Clusters
1/2 stick butter
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup date sugar (granulated dried dates)
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 cups spelt flour
1 cup rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup quinoa
2 eggs
1 apple, chopped tiny
1/2 cup milk or soymilk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking powder
pinch salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In mixing bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter, date sugar and honey. In a separate bowl, beat eggs with milk. Add the rest of the ingredients one at a time to the butter/sugar mixture, alternating with some of the eggs/milk. Combine, adding a little water as needed. Drop tablespoon sized clusters onto baking sheets and bake for about 15 minutes.

What do you like to eat as a snack when you get home?

10 comments:

Erica said...

Oh my gosh- totally book marking this! I love apples (I'm an addict!) and PB and this sounds like the perfect combo to me!

Hope you are having a nice Monday!

Anonymous said...

I have some cinnamon raisin cookies I adapted to have fresh apples in them...one of my all-time favorite cookies, for sure!

Darya Pino said...

I don't make a lot of desserts, but this looks like it needs to make my list :)

Thanks!

Not Another Omnivore said...

Carbs. But not much. Just a piece of Amish Friendship Bread, or a couple crackers. Then I can refocus on real food.

NAOmni

Culinary Wannabe said...

The big chunks of apple look awesome in these! Good for you - when I come home and am starving, just the thought of waiting for the oven to preheat is enough to send grabbing for the nearest box of triscuits!

amandalouden said...

My kids would love these. add them to my list! Thank you.

The Blonde Duck said...

These look really good! I love apples and PB! I have both daily! Glad I popped in!

I moved! Come see me at www.aduckinherpond.com.

Erica said...

PB&J lost party? Am I invited??? Sounds awesome! Enjoy it!

Michelle said...

Erica--thanks! and yes of course you are invited to our Lost party!

Laurel--i think cookie adapting is my new hobby. you in? :-)

darya--enjoy if you make them! they were even better the next day.

Not Another Omnivore--what's Amish Friendship Bread?

Culinarywannabe--i know, i'm challenging myself to make the cookies whenever i'm craving them. sort of a compromise. but it's hard!

Amanda--let me know how they go over with your kids! i'm interested in how one deals with children and food. it's all theory to me for now :-)

Blonde Duck--thanks for coming by!

Ish said...

i will definitely try this one thanks for posting