Apple-Cinnamon Squares

🍏🍯🍰🔪🕒

Apple-Cinnamon Squares are a delightful dessert consisting of a flavorful blend of apples and cinnamon baked into a soft, cake-like square. They are a perfect treat for any occasion, especially during the fall season when apples are in abundance.

📜 History:
The history of Apple-Cinnamon Squares is not well-documented, but it is likely that this dessert originated in regions where apples were readily available, such as North America and Europe. Apples have been a staple in many traditional desserts for centuries, and the combination of apples and cinnamon is a classic flavor pairing.

🥘 Components:
To make Apple-Cinnamon Squares, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups of peeled, cored, and diced apples (usually about 2-3 apples)
• 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ½ cup of sour cream or yogurt

👩‍🍳 Steps to Prepare Apple-Cinnamon Squares:

1. Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and dice the apples into small pieces. Toss them with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning and set aside.

2. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking pan.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set this dry mixture aside.

4. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer or by hand, cream together the softened butter and sugar until it becomes light and fluffy.

5. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.

6. Alternate Mixing: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture and the sour cream (or yogurt) to the butter-sugar-egg mixture. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

7. Fold in Apples: Gently fold the diced apples into the batter until they are evenly distributed.

8. Bake: Pour the batter into the greased baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Cool and Serve: Allow the Apple-Cinnamon Squares to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can cut them into squares and serve.

⏰ Time Needed:
Preparation time for Apple-Cinnamon Squares typically takes around 15-20 minutes. Baking time is approximately 40-45 minutes. So, in total, you can expect to spend about 1 hour from start to finish.

Enjoy your delicious Apple-Cinnamon Squares! 🍏🍰😋

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Apple-Cinnamon Squares:

📊 Nutrition Facts (Approximate per serving):

• Calories: 220-250 kcal
• Total Fat: 8-10 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 4-5 grams
• Cholesterol: 40-50 mg
• Sodium: 150-200 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 35-40 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 1-2 grams
  • Sugars: 20-25 grams
• Protein: 3-4 grams
• Vitamin C: 2-4% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Calcium: 4-6% DV
• Iron: 4-6% DV

🌟 Health Information:

• Apples in this dessert provide dietary fiber, vitamin C, and various antioxidants, contributing to digestive health and immune support.
• Cinnamon may have potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and blood sugar regulation properties.
• However, Apple-Cinnamon Squares are still a dessert, and they contain sugar and fat, so moderation is key for a balanced diet.
• Consider using healthier substitutions like whole wheat flour or reducing sugar for a more nutritious version.

Remember that the exact nutritional values may vary depending on specific ingredients and serving sizes.