Sometimes, the best treats are the ones that you never planned to make.

My kids have been under the weather and everyone has been feeling a little low. I wanted to make a treat to bring up the general household spirit, but a quick rummage through the kitchen (and the knowledge that tomorrow is my grocery day!) determined that I had precious little to work with. Among other things, I found a couple of apples and some nuts. Throw that together with some basic baking supplies and Autumn Apple Cookies were born.

Sweet and a little bit fluffy, they hit the spot and made everyone feel just a tiny bit better!

3/4 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup whole oats
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup apples, peeled, cored & finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Cream shortening and sugar, add milk. Blend in eggs one at a time. In a separate bowl, mix flour, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt. Slowly add to creamed mixture. Stir in vanilla. Fold in apples and nuts.

Drop by teaspoonfuls (or with a cookie scoop) onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool two minutes then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

also posted on cut out + keep

Quilty Tie-In…

While we’re talking apples, how about an apple paper pieced block? It’s zero calories and just as fun to make!

For more patterns, visit Paper Piecing on sewhooked.