Delicious Winter Recipes!

With the slower pace of activity in Lancaster County during the winter, it seems a perfect time to talk about one of our favorite subjects... food!  Some recipes just seem ideally suited for these cold winter mornings, so we thought we'd share a couple of our guests' favorites here at the Apple Bin Inn.

Our "Pecan Caramel Baked Apples" have become one of our most requested recipes.  Why not make them a warm and cozy start to a special breakfast at your house...

INGREDIENTS:

Apples:                                                                       

4 Rome apples of equal size (Gala, Stayman, and Cortland apples also work well)

Butter, unsalted

Cinnamon

Topping:                                                                                  

8 heaping tbsp light brown sugar 

20 pecan halves, coarsely chopped

2 tsp golden raisins (optional) 

½ tsp cinnamon

dash of pumpkin pie spice (important)

3 tbsp Half & Half

Heavy whipping cream

Core and peel apples, leaving a ring of skin around the bottom quarter of each apple.

Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each apple (so they don't roll) and place apples in glass baking dish.

Into each core hole, place a thick pat of butter and a dash of cinnamon.

Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and poke several air holes.

Microwave apples on high setting for 1½  minutes.  Flip each apple upside down and microwave for 1 minute.

Turn apples right-side-up, and if necessary microwave extra time to reach the desired softness (poke with fork to test).  Note: Microwaves vary, so experiment with cooking times to achieve the apple softness you desire.

Combine topping ingredients (except the heavy whipping cream) in a small saucepan.

Heat on medium high heat for 3-4 minutes, until sugar is completely dissolved, then set on low to avoid burning.  Topping should be thick & syrupy. 

Place each apple into a dessert bowl, and spoon a generous amount of topping over each apple (try to avoid the core hole).

Fill each core hole with heavy whipping cream.  Serve hot, and bask in the glow of your family's smiles!

Our next recipe is "Baked Deep-Dish Strawberry French Toast".  A cross between french toast and bread pudding, it's an absolutely delicious winter breakfast!

Ingredients:  

16 oz loaf of French bread, cubed into ½” cubes

6 oz cream cheese (¾ of an 8 oz package), cubed into ½” cubes

6 large eggs

1 qt Half & Half

½ cup butter, melted

¼ cup maple syrup

   

Topping:   

16 oz fresh sliced strawberries (frozen sliced strawberries may be substituted)

10 oz strawberry jam

Arrange half of the cubed bread in a lightly greased, deep 9 x 13” pan. 

Sprinkle with cubed cream cheese, and cover with remaining bread cubes.

Whisk together eggs, Half & Half, butter, and maple syrup. 

Pour evenly over the bread cubes, making sure they all absorb the egg mixture.

Cover with foil and refrigerate for 8 hours (over night).

   

In the morning, keep foil in place and Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Remove foil and bake another 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

While french toast is baking, combine and heat topping ingredients in a saucepan.

Cut french toast into 8–10 servings.  Plate each serving, then ladle heated topping generously over each serving.  Goes great with your favorite sausage.  Enjoy!