Apple Truffles

Happy Holidays! 

Welcome to my blog, thanks for visiting :) 

                                  

Today's recipe was inspired by the massive amounts of dark chocolate Lauren gave me for Secret Santa (thank you Lauren!!) and the classic chocolate covered pretzels we usually make back home. 

This recipe is super quick, easy, and great for serving to guests, bringing to parties, and making with friends/kids!

Thanks to Addie and Justin for helping me chocolate dip, as chocolate covered anything is more fun with friends :) 

The Recipe: Apple Truffles

• 5 Apples
• 2 bars of 85% Cocoa Dark Chocolate
• Crushed Candy Canes

The Process: 

1. Line baking sheets with tin foil.
2. Cut apples into slices, removing the core. 
3. Break Dark Chocolate bars into small pieces. 
4. Microwave chocolate in a microwave-safe container in 30 second spurts, stirring in between. It should take at most 1 minute total. 
5. Dip apples in chocolate.
6. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. 
7. Freeze to harden chocolate. 
8. Try not to eat them all!!

The Calories: 

Chocolate: 420 calories

Apples: 570 calories

Candy canes: 30 calories

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TOTAL: 1020 calories

Let's be real: this recipe makes around 60 servings, and is essentially just apple slices. Each slice has about 17 calories. Indulge guilt-free ;)

What went right: 

          Everything! These were super delicious and loved by everyone who ate them. They were also a great treat for my Gluten Free/Vegan friends who could not eat the toffee or most other treats we made. 

What went wrong: 

          I didn't have pretzels :( 

What would I do next time:

          Potentially use caramel as well to make them Turtle Apples, or try dipping in butterscotch or white chocolate. 

Overall, a super quick, easy, healthy recipe for everyone to enjoy!! 

German Apple Cake

Guten tag und willkommen! 

This post was inspired by my want to make a cake today and an abundance of apples in the fridge. The recipe comes from pinterest, and it's one I've wanted to make for a long time just so I could try it. 

While the cake was cooling, I sent a photo to a couple friends in Germany, and one asked why he'd never seen something like it before. To be honest, I was wondering the same thing, since I'm German and Austrian by blood. I did a little research on the topic, assuming it has a German name. Lo and behold, the recipe I found is an adaptation of Weiner Apfelkuchen. Now that I've found a more traditional recipe, I will definitely be trying that as well, despite the traditional sugar and fat content.

A German Apple Cake is essentially four layers. 

The Recipe: Layer 1: The Cake

• 1.5 cups Flour
• 3/4 cup Sugar
• 1 stick Butter
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 3/4 cup Milk
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

The Process: Layer 1

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Blend all cake ingredients and pour into desired pan. (I used a glass casserole dish. The original recipe recommends a 9 x 13 baking dish. Next time I make this dish, I would like to use a shorter dish, because it took a very long time for mine to bake.)

The Recipe: Layer 2 

• 3-4 Apples, peeled and thinly sliced

The Process: Layer 2

1. Lay the apples on the cake layer in your desired pan/dish. Be sure to cover the whole area. (Mine covered a much larger area.)

The Recipe: Layer 3

• 1 cup Butter
• 1 cup Flour
• 1 cup White Sugar

The Process: Layer 3

1. Combine the three ingredients in a small bowl. It will be very crumbly even after mixed. 
2. Spread over the apples (Layer 2). 

The Recipe: Layer 4

• 1.5 tablespoons White Sugar
• 1.5 tablespoons Cinnamon

The Process: Layer 4

1. In a small bowl/plate, combine the Cinnamon and Sugar. 
2. Carefully sprinkle this on top of the whole of Layer 3. 
3. Bake for about 40 minutes. (Mine took much longer! Be sure to watch and test to see when your cake is finished.)

The Calories: 

Flour- 1138 calories

Sugar- 589 calories

Butter- 2430 calories

Eggs- 147 calories

Baking Powder- 2 calories

Milk- 65 calories

Vanilla- 6 calories

Apples- 380 calories

Cinnamon- 2 calories

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TOTAL: 4759 calories

Yes, this seems bad. However, the cake that I made is very very thick, meaning half a slice is about all you need to be full, as it is extremely rich. Assuming the cake is about 10 servings (which would change if you made a thinner, larger cake), each serving is 475.9 calories. Admittedly, this is not a healthy cake. 

What went right:

          The cake was magnificently delicious, and even more delicious after it was refrigerated. 

What went wrong:

          Because I used such a thick pan, baking took a long time, and I don't think I completely finished baking it by the end, because the middle was slightly soft. This did not make it taste any worse, but altered the texture. I would like to try making it in a different pan and see if that makes it better. 

Would I make this in college:

           This is one of those cakes that takes a very long time to make by yourself, but would be fun and easy to make with a group of people because there are so many tasks that can theoretically happen all at once. Therefore, I would make this cake as a Month Birthday Cake for sure, but not necessarily just for the sake of making a cake. 

What would I do next time:

          Like I said, I would like to try the more traditional version of this cake, and try making it in a different pan. 

Overall, this cake was delicious, but not healthy. 

So......

The workout that accompanies this cake is an elliptical workout. In one hour, I burned 500 calories by doing an interval workout that alternated between 9, 11, and 13 crossramp, with 1 resistance. Essentially, I did high knees for an hour. It was easier than it sounds; once you get into a rhythm, it's easy to hold it even when the crossramp increases. 

Geneissen!!

Kale-Sour Apple Smoothie

Happy Green Eating!

If you're brave enough to eat kale, you're probably a very devoted health foodie :) If not, I hope you try it anyway and end up enjoying it!

The Recipe:  Kale and Apple Smoothie

• 1 leaf  Kale, shredded
• 1 Apple, chopped
• Water 

The Process:

• Shred your Kale leaves
• Peel and chop your apple, tossing the core
• Put both into a Magic Bullet cup
• Add a small amount of water (you will need to add more as you blend, depending on how thick you want it)
• Blend with the Magic Bullet until it is at desired thickness. 
• Bottoms up!

The Calories:

Apple: 77 calories

Kale: 17 calories

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TOTAL: 94 calories

This is less than most protein shakes or bars, so you can have it as a small snack for that little extra cleansing boost. 

What went right:

          The smoothie tastes like sour apple, which is a flavor I quite enjoy! 

What went wrong:

          I think I was a little impatient once I smelled it, but the consistency was still a bit leafy. I will have to blend more next time or add more water. If that doesn't work, I will try steaming the Kale first. 

 What would I do next time:

          Add more water and possibly steam the Kale first. I don't think this smoothie needs anything otherwise...the flavor is very strong and to add anything else would only muddle it. 

Will I do this in college:

          Depends how the next batch turns out, but probably!

Overall it's a yummy smoothie if I can get it smooth enough...I might need to add milk or yogurt, but that would also make it less healthy and more heavy so I doubt I'd do it. Check back to see if the second batch turns out!

                                

Spring Easy Salad

Happy Spring!

Yet another late night fridge raid that led to a wonderful meal :) 

The Recipe: Spring Easy Salad

• 1 apple, peeled, sliced, and diced
• 3 inches of cucumber, sliced and cut in half
• 1 tomato, sliced and diced
• 5 leaves of Romaine lettuce, chopped

The Process:

• Chop lettuce
• Peel, slice, and dice apple
• Slice and dice tomato
• Slice cucumber
• Toss salad
• Enjoy!

The Calories;

Lettuce: 24 calories

Cucumber: 15 calories

Tomato: 33 calories

Apple: 77 calories

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TOTAL: 149 calories

Of course, if you want to add any sort of dressing or oils that adds a lot of unnecessary fat and sodium. 

What went right:

          It's a great salad, light but filling. The great part about this salad is that it is light enough to have a large portion if you feel so inclined, but this size is definitely enough to satiate hunger. 

What went wrong:

          The tomatoes started to get a little warm since it took a while to eat the salad. Other than that, nothing. 

What I would do next time:

         I think it would be good to try it without the tomatoes, and instead add halved grapes and toasted nuts...possibly pecans, or honey roasted walnuts. 

Would I do this in college:

          Salads are definitely going to be a large part of my diet in college. 

Banana Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese on Cinnamon Raisin Bread

If you've chosen this post, you're more than likely intrigued as to how such a strange combination tasted so addicting, I made and ate TWO that night. And even though I've already had dinner, writing about it makes me want another one right now. It's that good.

The Recipe: Banana Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese on Cinnamon Raisin Bread

• 2 slices of Cinnamon  Raisin Bread
• 1/2 banana, sliced long ways, thinly and then each slice should be cut in half
• 1/2 apple, sliced thinly, no core
• 1 strip of bacon, cooked, broken into pieces
• 1 tbsp shredded, low fat Mozzarella
• 1/4 tsp butter

The Process: 

• Heat your panini pan and press on a large burner using high heat
• Set the press aside on the stovetop
• Spread butter on both sides of both slices of the bread
• When the pan is hot enough, place both slices of bread on the pan...remember to turn the heat down!!
• Sprinkle mozzarella on both sides of the bread
• When mozzarella is securely melted on each slice, lay the banana slices on one slice of bread
• Next, lay the apple slices on top of the banana slices
• Finally,  lay the bacon pieces on top of the apple slices
• Close your sandwich, and press until grill marks brown to desired color
• Enjoy with cinnamon sugar pita chips or other all natural snack

The Calories:

Bread: 170 calories

Banana: 45 calories

Apple: 40 calories

Bacon: 42 calories

Mozzarella: 20 calories

Butter: 25 calories

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TOTAL: 342 calories

As a sandwich goes, this is a pretty healthy option! Your typical panini has more than that in the bread alone. If you're looking at that and thinking, "Wait...but you ate two!", think for another second about what I really ate: a banana, an apple, two strips of bacon, and a relatively small amount of cheese and butter, on homemade cinnamon bread. And still ate only 684 calories for a main course for dinner.

What went right: 
           It's a strange but perfect combination! Healthy, natural, well-rounded...I love this sandwich.

What went wrong:
           The first time I almost burnt the bread because I didn't turn the heat down. Came out great though once I noticed.

Will I do this in college:
           Definitely. I might not eat two at once but I will for sure be making it.

Overall, I think this is a wonderful sandwich not only for dinner but for lunch, or even for appetizers if they were cut in diagonal fourths. It's quick, easy, and healthy...Just what every college student needs!

Loaded Oatmeal

Hello hello!

Thanks for being such an avid reader :)

While on my oatmeal kick, I decided to see what was so wrong about normal, instant oatmeal...

The Recipe:  Loaded Oatmeal

• 1/2 cup Rolled Oats
• 1 cup warm water
• 5 strawberries, cut in 1/4 slices
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 apple, sliced and diced
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/4 cup wheat germ

The Process: 

• Preheat the oven for 325 degrees
• Mix the water and oats
• Microwave until oats are saturated
• In an oven-safe bowl, mix the apple chunks, honey, and wheat germ into the oatmeal
• Lay the bananas and strawberries on top of the oatmeal
• Sprinkle the top with brown sugar, so that it will create a caramelized layer over the oatmeal
• Bake the oatmeal for about 10 minutes, or until the brown sugar has all caramelized
• Remove and transfer to a normal eating bowl 
• Enjoy?

The Calories:

Rolled Oats: 150 calories

Strawberries: 15 calories

Banana:         105 calories

Apple:            77 calories

Brown Sugar: 17 calories

Honey:           21 calories

Wheat Germ: 104 calories

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TOTAL:        489 calories

Not terrible, considering this is high fiber and has three different fruits.

What went right: 

            The heated fruits were awesome!

What went wrong:

            I am not a fan of oatmeal.......the mushiness was definitely combated well through the fruit additions and they really don't taste like anything, so that's fine...

Would I do this in college:

           Can't say that I would! However, I could try a sort of baked fruit salad...hmmm...foreshadowing??

Overall, I did everything right and learned a valuable lesson about why oats are great in cookies and bread, but oatmeal...not so tasty! Oh well, I still ate it all :)