Apple Cranberry Squares

🍎🫐 Apple Cranberry Squares 🫐🍎

Apple Cranberry Squares are a delightful dessert or snack made with a combination of tart cranberries and sweet apples, all held together in a buttery, crumbly crust. These squares are perfect for enjoying during the fall and winter seasons when apples and cranberries are in abundance. They offer a harmonious balance of flavors, with the tartness of the cranberries complementing the natural sweetness of the apples.

History:
The exact origin of Apple Cranberry Squares is a bit unclear, but it likely evolved from traditional fruit-filled pastry recipes. Apples have a long history of being used in baked goods, and cranberries gained popularity in North America during the 17th century. Over time, these two ingredients were combined in various recipes, giving rise to dishes like Apple Cranberry Squares.

Components:
The key components of Apple Cranberry Squares include:

1. Apples: You’ll need fresh, peeled, and sliced apples. Varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well due to their sweet-tart flavor.
2. Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries add a burst of tartness and vibrant color.
3. Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the filling.
4. Flour: All-purpose flour is used for both the crust and the crumbly topping.
5. Butter: Unsalted butter is used in the crust and topping for richness and a buttery texture.
6. Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warmth and depth of flavor.
7. Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall taste.

Steps to Prepare:
Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing Apple Cranberry Squares:

Crust and Topping:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
3. Cut in 1 cup of cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Set aside about 1 1/2 cups of this mixture for the topping.
5. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the greased pan to form the crust.

Filling:
6. In another bowl, mix together 4 cups of peeled, sliced apples and 2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries.

7. Add 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of flour to the fruit mixture. Mix until the fruit is coated evenly.
8. Spread the fruit mixture evenly over the crust in the baking pan.

Baking:
9. Sprinkle the reserved crumbly mixture evenly over the fruit.

10. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Cooling and Serving:
11. Allow the squares to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes.

12. Once cooled, cut into squares or rectangles.
13. Serve as a delicious dessert or snack, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Time Needed:
The preparation time for Apple Cranberry Squares may vary slightly depending on your experience, but it typically takes about 15-20 minutes to prepare the ingredients and assemble them. Baking time is approximately 45-55 minutes, and you should allow an additional 30 minutes for cooling. So, in total, you can expect to spend around 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes to make these scrumptious squares.

Enjoy your Apple Cranberry Squares! 🍏🫐😋

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

Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per serving):

• Calories: 220-250 kcal
• Total Fat: 12-14g
• Saturated Fat: 7-8g
• Cholesterol: 30-35mg
• Sodium: 100-120mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 27-32g
• Dietary Fiber: 2-3g
• Sugars: 15-18g
• Protein: 2-3g
• Vitamin C: 5-10% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Calcium: 2-4% DV
• Iron: 4-6% DV

Health Information:

• Moderate Calorie Dessert: Apple Cranberry Squares are a moderate-calorie dessert option, making them suitable for occasional indulgence.
• Fiber: The dish provides a small amount of dietary fiber, which can aid in digestion and help you feel fuller for longer.
• Vitamins: Apples and cranberries contribute to the vitamin C content of this dessert, which is important for immune health.
• Moderate Sugar: While the squares do contain sugar, it’s not excessively high. However, it’s still advisable to consume sugary desserts in moderation.
• Fat Content: The squares have a moderate amount of fat, primarily from butter. Be mindful of your overall daily fat intake.
• Portion Control: To keep the calorie and sugar intake in check, consider serving smaller portions or sharing the squares.

Remember that the nutrition facts can vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used, so it’s a good idea to calculate the precise nutritional information if you have specific dietary concerns or restrictions. Enjoy your Apple Cranberry Squares in moderation as part of a balanced diet. 🍏🫐😊