An Apple a Day

Heidi and I took Tanner and Abigail apple picking this weekend at Bailey's Orchard in Whitefield, Maine. I love this orchard for two reasons: you can park your car right in the orchard and all the trees are labeled so you know what kind of apples you are picking. They have a variety of apples...McIntosh, Red Delicious, Empire, Cortland, Liberty, Macoun...just to name a few.

If you don't feel like picking you can buy a bag in the barn as well as some fresh pressed cider and other tasty treats. We picked 16 pounds of apples (McIntosh, Cortland, and Macoun) and it cost about $14.00. When we got home I made some delicious apple squares to take to my friend Carlyn's Oktoberfest party that afternoon, YUMMY!

Apple Snack Squares
(Makes a 9 by 13 pan)

1 3/4 c. sugar
3 eggs
2 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
1 c. oil
2 c. apple, peeled and chopped into small cubes
1 c. nuts, chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 by 13 pan.
2. Beat together sugar and eggs. Add flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt; mix well. Add oil and vanilla; mix well. Fold in apples and nuts.
3. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. Once cool, cut into squares and serve.

Note: This recipe was contributed by Toni Lenfestey (my friend Carlyn's sister-in-law) to the recipe book Carlyn and her husband Matt made to raise funds for the adoption of their son Reggie from Haiti.