Apple-picking season is officially upon us! Apples are some of the easiest fruits to store and transport and are one of the few fruits that are available and delicious year round.

Health Benefits of Eating Apples

• Apples are a great source nutrients, including vitamin C, fiber, B vitamins, and calcium, just to name a few.
• They are also high in antioxidants that may help boost the immune system and also aid in bone health and lung function.

Adding Apples to Your Diet

• Apples have a natural skin barrier so they are easy to throw in your bag on a busy day! Apples that are best to eat when fresh include Gala, Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, and Fuji. Just remember to rinse your apples under warm water before consumption.
• If you prefer skinless or sliced apples, try packing a serving of nut butter or other fruits with it. Apple butter is also an option as a substitute for jam in any dish!

Shopping for Apples

• Apples are especially easy to find during the fall, with most species of apple being in-season during September.
• Apple picking is a great active outing to try, and is an awesome way to find different kinds of apples you might like!
• When shopping for or picking apples, watch for bruising, but remember that certain kinds of apples are different colors when ripe. Some apples also should stay refrigerated after picking, including Gala, Lodi, and Earligold.
• Whether you pick-your-own or not, apples from local farmers’ markets are both cheaper in cost and fresher than those from supermarkets.
• Click here (https://pickyourown.org/apples.htm) for more information on different types of apples, storage needs, and where to find pick-your-own farms near you!

Healthy 3 Ingredient Flourless Applesauce Brownies

Recipe

Please enjoy this 3-ingredient apple brownie recipe adapted from www.thebigmansworld.com!

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup drippy almond butter (may sub for peanut, cashew or nut-free spread)
1/4- 2/3 cup cocoa powder (more cocoa yields a richer taste)
Frosting of choice optional

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a small 4 x 6 or 6 x 6 loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside- A smaller pan yields thicker brownies.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add your applesauce and nut butter and mix well. If nut butter is too stiff, feel free to microwave until melted. Once mixed, add cocoa powder and mix until fully incorporated and a thick, silky batter remains.
3. Transfer brownie batter to loaf pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out just clean. Allow the brownies to cool in the pan completely. Once cooled, refrigerate for several hours (even better, if overnight). Remove, top with optional frosting and slice into 6 bars, 1 bar per serving.