Crispy Apple Chips

My mother made an apple crisp the other week, and peeled a whole bunch of apples, which made me sad. What’s an apple without the skin? A sad, naked apple. What’s the skin without the apple? Turns out it’s delicious!Crispy Apple Chips vegan

• peeled apple skins (I used about 1.5 cups– beware that they shrink a LOT)
• cinnamon to taste
• optional: sprinkling of sugar

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Peel apples, and toss apple skins in a bowl generously with cinnamon (add sugar if you’d like to make it sweeter). Lay your peeled apple skins on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet, and let sit in oven to crisp for 2 hours or more (until they become slightly brown and crispy). Let cool completely, and enjoy within 2 days.

The crispier the better! These are delicious eaten plain, or sprinkled over some yogurt for a bit of a light toasted crunch.

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Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Oat Bars

I had an overripe banana, I had an almost-finished jar of applesauce, and I had a neglected carrot that has been in my fridge for a few weeks.  So after this sad shot was taken, I got right to work! These bars are made with all natural ingredients, and are perfect as a delicious and wholesome breakfast or snack. And they even got my mother’s seal of approval, who usually turns her nose at anything made with no animal products, refined sugar, or oil. Success!

Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Oat Bars vegan

makes 6 large squares

• 1 large, overripe banana
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract or baking emulsion
• 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water)

• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1/4 tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp each of allspice/nutmeg/cloves
• 1 large carrot, grated
• optional add-ins: raisins, walnuts

Mix first set of ingredients in one medium bowl. Mix second set in another bowl, except for the carrots. Stir in dry to wet. Stir in your grated carrots and raisins or walnuts (optional) at end. Distribute into 8×8 square pan and bake at 350 for 25-30 mins, or until cooked all the way through.

Question: What’s your favorite way to use carrots in baking?