For snacktime: Think quick, healthy and delicious
Did you know snacks contribute more calories to our daily diets than ever before? That makes snacktime a pretty important meal, for kids and grown-ups alike. Yet most of us just grab the quickest thing we can find to stave off those hunger pangs and get through the day. Too often, that means a high-sugar, high-calorie product. This calls for a snacktime makeover.
What if we could tame the munchies, reduce the calories and satisfy some of our daily nutritional needs at the same time? Fortunately, apple-based snacks provide an ideal solution for busy families. A four-ounce glass of 100-percent apple juice and a four-ounce cup of apple sauce each equal 1/2 cup of fruit and count toward your daily fruit serving goals. And now there are more nutritious options than ever for the whole family. Apple juice and apple sauce aren’t just for kids anymore!
Snacking Smart
Mix-In: Add chopped almonds and dark chocolate bits to a pre-packaged blueberry-flavored apple sauce cup for a satisfying midday snack.
Easy Spritzer: Mix light apple cranberry flavored or apple blueberry juice beverage with club soda for a fizzy treat.
Italian Ice: Freeze your favorite apple sauce cups and serve cold like an Italian ice.
Fruity Vanilla Frosty
Break out the blender for an apple-blueberry fruity treat.
1 1/2 cups light apple-blueberry flavored juice beverage
1 1/2 cups frozen mixed berries
3/4 cup vanilla low-fat frozen yogurt
2 to 3 ice cubes
3 strawberries
Blend ingredients until well combined. Serve with additional ice as desired.
Garnish each glass with a strawberry.
Makes 3 (8-ounce) servings
Approximate Nutrition Information Per Serving (1 cup/ 8 fluid ounces): 170 calories, 2g fat, 30mg cholesterol, 45mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 5g protein, 11.9% calories from fat, vitamin A 4% DV, vitamin C 100% DV, calcium 20% DV, iron 4% DV, vitamin D 10% DV (DV — Daily Value)
Blueberry Delight Crumble Muffins
Using apple sauce helps cut down on fat while adding a host of important health benefits. These muffins call for blueberry-flavored apple sauce and whole blueberries for an added burst of berry flavor!
CRUMBLE TOPPING
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons wheat germ
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon canola oil
Muffin Batter:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, beaten
2 (3.9-ounce) blueberry-flavored apple sauce cups
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup blueberries
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Lightly oil or coat 12 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Combine topping ingredients and set aside.
Whisk together dry batter ingredients (except brown sugar and berries) in large bowl. Combine eggs, apple sauce, brown sugar, oil and vanilla in separate bowl and whisk until well blended. Pour liquid ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. Gently stir in blueberries.
Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Arrange topping evenly over muffins, using back of spoon to gently press topping into batter.
Bake 20 to 22 minutes, or until topping is golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Makes 12 muffins
Approximate Nutrition Information Per Serving (1 muffin): 210 calories, 7g fat, 35mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 4g protein, 30% calories from fat, vitamin A 0% DV, vitamin C 6% DV, calcium 4% DV, iron 10% DV, vitamin D .7% DV (DV — Daily Value)
Golden Apple–Raisin Squares
Delicious as a snack or healthy dessert. Watch these squares disappear.
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs, beaten
1 (3.9-ounce) Blueberry-flavored apple sauce cup
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 Golden Delicious apple, peeled and cut into 1/4 -inch dice (about 1 cup)
1/3 cup golden raisins
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly oil or coat 8 x 8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Whisk together dry ingredients (except sugar and fruit) in large bowl. Combine eggs, apple sauce, sugar, oil and apple in separate bowl, and whisk until well blended. Pour liquid ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. Stir in raisins. Pour batter into prepared baking dish.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Makes 12 servings
Approximate Nutrition Information Per Serving (1 square): 170 calories, 7g fat, 35mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 2g protein, 35.8% calories from fat, vitamin A 0% DV, vitamin C 4% DV, calcium 4% DV, iron 4% DV, vitamin D .7% DV (DV — Daily Value)
For more information and recipe ideas, visit motts.com.