apples – The Vegan Rhino

December 9, 2019May 14, 2020

Applesauce Bars

When you have to make a dessert that is easily shareable, these bars are your go-to dessert. With a simple glaze that covers the top, these homemade applesauce bars are the perfect treat! The best way to enjoy these bars are when they come out of the oven and have slightly cooled. The warm sensation with Fall flavors and cinnamon glaze is a finger-licking good recipe.

Yield

Ingredients

1 cup organic cane sugar

1 cup applesauce

1/2 cup avocado oil

2 cups all-purpose organic flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp Himalayan fine pink salt

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1 cup raisins

1/2 cup walnuts nuts

Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1-2 Tbsp. hot water, use as needed

1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. Himalayan salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a bowl, combine the sugar, apple sauce, and oil. Mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a separate bowl and add it to the wet mixture. Stir until combined. Fold in the raisins and nuts.
Grease and flour a 13×9-inch baking pan and add the cookie bar mixture.
Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before topping with glaze.
Enjoy

Chef’s tip: You can swap the raisins for another type of dried fruit of your choosing.

October 21, 2018May 14, 2020

Best Ever Pancakes

Mornings can be tough to get breakfast ready since we are normally rushing to start our day and get out of the house for work, school, or any other activity we have going on. This pancake recipe is super simple and will not take you more than 15 minutes to make- leaving you ample amount of time to eat this stacked high tower of fluffy-goodness. In my filling, I wanted to add peanut butter and sliced apples, however, you can add anything you’d like. Whether it be blueberries, bananas, yogurt, or jam, feel free to get creative with this best ever pancake recipe!

Yields 10 pancakes

Ingredients

1-1/2 cup King Arthur organic flour

4 Tsp. baking powder

2 Tbsp. Woodstock organic cane sugar

1 Tbsp. Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer + 2 Tbsp. water, mixed and set aside

1¼ cup plain almond milk

¼ cup Earths Balance Vegan Butter + more for cooking

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

Directions

In a large bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, almond milk, egg replacer, vanilla extract, and melted butter with a wooden spoon. Set aside.
Heat a frying pan over medium low heat. When the pan is hot add a small amount of butter and 1/4 cup of the pancakes batter.
Cook the pancake for 2-3 minutes each side. Repeat with remaining batter.
Serve the pancakes stacked with peanut butter and sliced apples.

Chef’s tip: You can add whatever topping to the pancakes, in the picture, I added peanut butter with sliced apples and peanuts.

October 17, 2018May 14, 2020

Caramel Apples

After picking apples at a fruit farm, what are you going to do with them? In this recipe, you can take those apples and make an amazing dairy-free caramel that will bring you back to those childhood memories of fall as a kid. This is a great recipe to make with your young ones during the holiday season, so please feel free to give it a try! You and your kids will be so happy with how these come out.

Yields 12 servings

Ingredients

12 apples

1 cup Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Stick

1-1/4 cups Vitacost brown sugar + 1/4 cup water

2 cup Vitacost brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

14 oz. condensed “milk”

Directions

In your sink, allow apples to soak in hot water for 5 minutes to remove the wax. This will help the caramel stick to the apple better. Use a wash cloth to wipe and remove any wax residue as well.
Place popsicle sticks into apples and place into the freezer for 1 hour. This will also allow the caramel to stick to the apples better.
In a sauce pan, add all ingredients and bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Make sure to constantly stir until 20-25 minutes have passed or temperature reaches 245 degrees F (soft ball stage).
Remove from heat and and allow to cool slightly before adding the vanilla extract. Allow caramel to cool to thicken.
Remove apples and dunk the frozen apple into the caramel sauce and then immediately into the chopped peanuts. Be sure to carefully press into the caramel to stick.
Place apples onto a lined baking sheet with parchment paper (lightly greased with butter) to prevent sticking. Put into the fridge for an hour to allow caramel to set.

Chef’s tip: To test the caramel, drop a tiny amount into a glass filled with water. If it forms a hard ball, it is ready. Caramel can differ from person to person so this is a neat way to check!

October 12, 2018May 14, 2020

Apple Sauce

Ever wonder how it would be to take a bunch of apples and make your own apple sauce with out all that added sugar and preservatives? Well it’s a good thing you found yourself to this recipe because you are in for a real treat. Not only will your taste buds be exploding from the flavor but your house will be filled with an apple cinnamon flavor. It may just have your neighbors knocking on your door so be careful, it is that good.

Yields 16 oz

Ingredients

8 apples, peeled, decoded, and sliced

1 1/2 cup filtered water

1/2 cup Florida Crystals Organic Cane Sugar

1 tsp. Vitacost organic ground cinnamon

Directions

In a large stock pot, add chopped apples (peeled and de-cored), sugar, water, and cinnamon. Bring pot to high heat and boil for 15-20 minutes.
In a blender or using a hand held masher, smash apples.
Pour into a mason jar and allow to cool before lidding and placing in the refrigerator.

Chef’s tip: Substitute 1/4 cup applesauce in place of (1) egg for any baking recipe.

October 3, 2018May 14, 2020

Homemade Apple Crisp

Thinking back to this simple yet delicious dessert brings back memories of apple picking at Patterson’s Fruit Farms in Chesterland, Ohio. The warm apples mixed with cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg always pairs perfectly with a heaping scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. Pro Tip: For a crisp crunchy top, be sure to clump your oat mixture up in your hands before placing it on the apples. So get out to your local farm and pick up a bag of fresh apples so you can whip up this apple crisp!

Yields 10-12 servings

Ingredients

8-9 apples, peeled and cored

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

2 Tbsp. King Arthur organic flour

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

Topping:

1 1/4 cup King Arthur organic flour

1/2 cups whole rolled oats

3/4 cup butter, melted (about 10 Tbsp.)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. Vitacost organic ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Pink Salt

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
To prepare your apples, first peel, decore, and slice all apples into wedges- slice again to make wedges more thin. Add the lemon juice and using your fingers, mix apples to coat evenly. Next, add the sugar and nutmeg. Set aside.
In a glass mixing bowl, combine oat flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, salt, and walnuts. Mix until topping mixture has formed.
In a casserole dish, pour apple and evenly place the topping mixture over the apples.
Bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and top is brown.
Serve immediately with a side of ice cream or a whipped cream topping if you choose.

Chef’s tip: You can add 1/2 tsp. vanilla to the apples if you’d like before baking for added flavor.

September 26, 2018May 14, 2020

Hot Apple Cider

Each year, I have really enjoyed making my own apple cider with fresh organic apples. There is always the added benefit when you are able to make something from scratch. Controlling the sugar level and what ingredients you are using are key elements in reducing a lot of unwanted processed additives. This recipe will be a fan favorite during the fall and winter months.

Yields 4-5 servings

Ingredients

13 apples

3-4 cinnamon sticks

4 Tbsp. All Spice kernels

3/4 cup sugar

Directions

To prepare apples, decor and cut into slices.
Place into a large stock pot and cover with water. Add sachet of cinnamon and all spice. Place on high heat and bring to a rolling boil for an hour-uncovered. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 2 hours covered.
Remove from stove and pour mixture into blender or use a potato masher. After you blend for a minute or mash it, use a fine mesh strainer to remove all of the pulp.
Serve with vegan whipped cream on top and cinnamon.

Chef’s tip: For a smoother cider, you can use a cheese cloth to strain to remove any further pulp or spices.