Mini Apple Pie

Ever since I figured out how to make a nice "pie-like" crust using our Thrive 6 Grain Pancake Mix, I just can't get enough of these little pies! This time, apple cinnamon - delish!

For the crust:
1-1/2c Thrive 6 Grain Pancake Mix
3T Thrive Butter Powder
3T Thrive Sugar (white or brown)
Dash Ground Cinnamon
Dash nutmeg
1/2c Water

Grease a 12 cup muffin tin. Combine ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms (if your dough is too dry, add additional water one tablespoon at a time until it is moist). Drop the dough by heaping tablespoon fulls into each cup your muffin tin. Grease your fingers, then gently press the dough onto the bottom and up the sides of each cup to form the crust. Set aside.

For the filling:
2c Thrive Apple Slices
1c Water
1/2c Thrive Sugar (brown or white)
1t Ground Cinnamon
1/4c Chopped Nuts (walnuts or pecans would be great)

Combine apples, water, nuts, sugar and cinnamon in a small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until apples begin to break down and sugar melts into a thick syrup, about 10 minutes. Carefully spoon mixture into crusts and bake in preheated oven for 16-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Cinnamon Roll Muffins

I don't know about you, but if I have a pan of cinnamon rolls sitting on my counter, they talk to me. They convince me that it is better to have a cinnamon roll than to eat a healthy lunch. My workout earned me two cinnamon rolls. You know what would go great with a cup of hot cocoa? A cinnamon roll. And after I go for a long walk? I should have a cinnamon roll.

If I bake my cinnamon rolls in muffin tins, I can eat one or two and pop the rest of them in a freezer. Then I can zap one at a time and they don't talk to me nearly as much :)

 

3T Thrive Powdered Milk

2T Thrive Butter Powder

1T Thrive Whole Egg Powder

2/3c Hot Water

3c Thrive Whole Wheat or White Flour, divided

1 Package Instant Yeast
1/4c Thrive White Sugar
1/2t Thrive Salt
1/4c Water

1c Thrive Brown Sugar
1T Ground Cinnamon
1/2c Thrive Butter, Prepared

Preheat oven to 375. In a container with a screw on lid, combine powdered milk, butter powder, whole egg powder and hot water. Shake well and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2c flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Add water and milk/butter mixture and beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2c at a time, until the dough just pulls together. Knead on a floured surface until smooth, about 5 minutes. Cover the dough with a damp towel and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll dough out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 12x9. Spread dough with butter, then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture. Roll up and cut into 12 equal sized rolls. Place each in a greased muffin cup and bake at 375 for 25-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

These cinnamon roll muffins can be frozen for up to six months. To defrost, microwave for 30 seconds.

What Do You Do With Butter Powder?

Welcome to installment two of "What the Heck Wednesday." Today we are going to take a look at what might be considered a peculiar product: Butter Powder. This stuff wasn't quite as puzzling as the Whole Egg Powder, but it still seemed a little odd. It's powdered, and it's butter, and it's in a can. Really.

The first thing you will notice upon opening your can of Butter Powder is that it actually smells really yummy - like butter (woah). It has a nice soft texture to it and measures easily. How often are you cleaning up butter smears off your kitchen counters after slicing, melting, softening, creaming and blending butter? With Butter Powder, you don't have to worry about those messes anymore. Just measure out the amount you need and mix it into your recipe. Butter Powder works perfectly with casseroles, cakes, muffins, cupcakes and soups. It can be sprinkled directly on your freshly popped popcorn, roasted veggies and braised chicken. You can also use it like you would regular butter - just mix it with water to your desired consistency and chill before spreading on the toast/muffin/corn cob of your choice.

Butter Powder also allows you to be super creative! Instead of (or in addition to) water, try mixing your Butter Powder with honey, agave nectar, flavored extracts, jelly or peanut butter. Blend it with Whole Egg Powder and milk for the richest french toast dip you have ever tasted. Add in a little powder from the bottom of any Thrive fruit cans for a fabulous flavor and color - strawberry powder makes for an amazing flavor and looks beautiful on cornbread or muffins, blueberry would be an excellent addition to a big stack of Blueberry Pancakes.

What is your favorite way to use Butter Powder?