German Apple Pancakes

 

Oh my goodness!  This is so yummy it deserves two photos!  This is the best thing I've made in ages!  So simple but so special...this is amazing for overnight guests or for Christmas morning...it is a delicious and classic hearty breakfast with lots of options on fruit and toppings!

 

You'll need:

 

6 Apples, peeled and cored -I used Red Delicious

 

4 Tbl Butter

1 cup flour

1 cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 sup white sugar

4 eggs

1/4 cup cinnamon sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

 

Heat a 10 inch cast iron skillet on medium high and melt butter then add apples and cinnamon sugar.

Cook apples on medium high heat until they are al' dente.  You want them cooked but no soft.

 

Remove skillet of apples from heat and add the mixture of flour, milk, salt, eggs, brown and white sugar (well blended) over the top of the bed of apples.  Make sure your apples form a solid base before adding your batter over the top.

 

Bake in the oven at 375* for 12 -  15 minutes.  The center should be set and golden brown.

 

Remove from oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar.  You can also top this with maple syrup if you're especially sweet!  Serve warm right from the skillet! 

 

I've seen this recipe with just the pancake recipe baked in the oven then add strawberries and blue   berries about 10  minutes before the pancake are done.  I love the baked apples so that's what I chose.

You do what fruits suit you and enjoy!!!

Cranberry Walnut Pinwheels

This is our first  Thanksgiving in our new home.  I'm hosting a full out Thanksgiving dinner for the family and I want to do something unexpected.  This recipe pulled together the traditional cranberry requirement but with an unexpected twist!  This takes just 15 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to bake - what more could I ask for!

You'll need:
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
zest of 1 orange
2 refrigerated pie crusts
2 TBL melted butter
1 whole egg
2 TBL water
honey

Preheat your oven to 350*.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Place the cranberries, walnuts, sugars and zest into a mixing bowl and combine well. 

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie crusts and roll into two squares.  Brush the crusts with melted butter.  Spread the cranberry mixture evenly on top of the crusts.  Roll each pie crust pinching the edges to seal.  Combine the egg and water and beat well then brush each roll with the egg wash.  *Carefully cut each roll into slices 1 1/2 inches wide.  Place on a baking sheet cut side up 1 inch apart.

Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until golden brown.  Place pinwheels on a cooling rack and spread with a teaspoon of honey.  Let cool and store in an air tight container.

*If you have trouble cutting the rolls, place them in the freezer for 10 minutes and then cut them.

I don't recommend using home made pie crusts as this can easily get too crumbly and difficult to keep in a pinwheel formation.