Quick and Easy Delicious Recipes for Using Apples - Bread Pudding, Crisp, and Stuffing

The recipes in this article are all about that versatile, healthy fruit - apples.  For desserts try the Caramel Apple Bread Pudding; doesn't the name just make your mouth water?  Don't like bread pudding?  Try the Easy Apple Walnut Crisp.  And apples aren't just for dessert!  This Quick and Easy Apple Stuffing is delicious and really dresses up a bag of stuffing mix.

CARAMEL APPLE BREAD PUDDING
10 slices cinnamon-raisin bread, cubed
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 medium Granny Smith apples, diced
1 cup caramel sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss the bread with the melted butter. In a 9-inch square baking pan that has been sprayed lightly with nonstick cooking spray, layer half the apples, half the bread mixture, and half the caramel sauce. Repeat the layers. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes until the apples are tender and the bread is golden brown.

EASY APPLE WALNUT CRISP
6 cups sliced apples
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Arrange the apples in a 9-inch square baking pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

In a bowl mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg; cut in the butter until mixture is crumbly. Stir in the chopped walnuts and sprinkle the mixture evenly over the apples.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or until the apples are tender and the topping is crisp.

Yield: 9 servings

QUICK AND EASY APPLE STUFFING
1 cup minced onion
1/2 cup minced celery
1/2 cup chopped apple
1 1/2 cups apple sauce
1 pkg (8-oz) stuffing mix
1 cup low-fat, low-salt chicken broth
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp ground sage
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a medium nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat until hot. Add the onion and celery; cook while stirring for approximately 5 minutes. Add the apple and cook while stirring for another 3 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients.

Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and place the stuffing mixture into the pan. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through.

Yield: 8 servings

Enjoy!