Bushels of Apples..and a Recipe!

We are lucky enough to have a home within an apple orchard. In our own yard, we have 4 fully mature apple trees. What a sweet part of life!

After having our first frosty morning this past week, we knew it was time for the apple picking to begin! So far, we have only done 2 of our trees. They are McIntosh apples and they are so, so yummy. We still have a Golden Delicious and a Red Delicious tree to pick.

I love this time of year!

I love getting the kids outside, all working together on harvesting something we have worked on all year long. I love the briskness in the air. It makes you feel alive.

Pretty soon these gorgeous apples will be eaten whole, made into fruit leather, applesauce, dried apples, and more. I've got my work cut out for me!

So in honor of the apple season, I thought I'd share one of my favorite apple recipes with you!

Apple Oat Muffins

1 medium apple, cored and grated
2 egg whites
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
½ cup raisins
¼ cup honey
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt

(Although this recipe does not call for walnuts, I like to add some chopped walnuts to the mixture. It's up to you though.)

Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl, stir together the buttermilk, oats, and raisins. In a separate bowl, blend the whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.

Add the egg whites and honey to the oat mix, and blend thoroughly.Blend the two mixtures together. Fold in the grated apple.

Fill greased muffin tin and bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes in the pan before removing.

Enjoy!