apple egg roll pies, pumpkin spice muffins and other stuff kids like

I picked this photo today not only because it's pretty, but because my son Dallas took it last week and asked if I would use it in my blog.
 He turned 8 this month, if your a parent you know how darn fast time flies.  8!! he's 8!! 
  Dallas is a lot like me, he grabs the camera and shoots, he loves crazy weather and he likes being in the kitchen with me, giving me ideas when he thinks I need them.
Today is the first of what I hope to be many posts geared towards stuff that kids like, well my kid likes anyway.
  After school the first thing Dallas wants is a snack.  I know, shocking right!   Most of the time it's something healthy and easy.  He loves Greek yogurt with some fruit and granola, a trail mix that he puts together from bulk items in the pantry, a smoothie or pretzels and carrots.
  But sometimes I like to throw together a little something special, but super easy, after all I don't have loads of time to spend on an after school snack.  Today I'm going to share some easy favorites, most can double for a dessert or even breakfast. 

so, here is what I did..

recipe #1

Apple "pie" in egg roll wrappers

apples, about 3 large peeled and cut
apple pie spice
sugar 2 T
3 T butter
won ton wrappers 4
Cinnamon or powdered sugar for dusting on top after cooking

You know, I never really measure the apple mixture, it's probably different every time, but today I tried to pay a little bit of attention.  Really though, it's like making a small amount of pie filling, any fruit you like would probably work just fine. 

I put the apples, apple pie spice and 1/2 the butter and sugar in a sauce pan with a splash of water and cook on med low for about 10 minutes.   I just want the fruit tender.

I'm not tied to this brand or anything, I just wanted to show you what I used for the "crust".  Nothing homemade here, I took the help.  :-)

So I take my apple mixture and put it on the egg roll wrapper.  It looks like it might be over stuffed, but the wrapper rises and the filling shrinks, so it works out good. 
  Fold the wrapper over sealing with water using your fingers, I like to roll the corners in a bit too.

Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment and brush both sides of mini pie with melted butter and sprinkle with a little bit of sugar if you want.  sometimes I use sugar on top, other times I don't.

bake in a 425degree oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. 

dust with cinnamon or powdered sugar.

Oh, I know, sugar sugar everywhere, but it's going to my active son, not me .....well maybe one for me. lol


recipe #2

pumpkin spice muffins (this could not BE any easier)

this recipe has been around so long I don't even remember, I've been doing it for years.  It's always good.

1 box spice cake mix
1 can pumpkin
1/2 cup or so of raisins

that's it.

mix the cake mix with the can of pumpkin.  It's hard to stir at first, but it will incorporate.  stir in raisins.

place cupcake liners in muffin tin if you want,  I use an ice cream scoop to place batter into each muffin liner.  you should get 12 muffins.
  OR you can use a mini muffin tin, you will yield 2-3 dozen smaller muffins

cook big muffins at 400degrees for 20 minutes, 10 minutes for mini muffins.

mmm mmm good!  We never get tired of these.  You will love how moist they are.

and recipe #3

mini crock pot warm apple compote.

4 golden delicious apples, peeled and diced
as much cinnamon as you like.
1/2 cup dried apricots cut into quarters
a splash of apple juice

put it all in one of those cute little crock pots, cook on low for about 4 hours.

We like it by itself or on top of a toasted whole grain waffle (the kind you get in the frozen isle), or on top of oatmeal for breakfast.

Please give these a try, none are labor intensive and all are very easy. 

Happy eating kids!