Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

Homemade Apple Cider Recipe – Easy and delicious homemade apple cider recipe made with apples, oranges, and spices. Simple to make on the stovetop or with my slow cooker apple cider recipe with step-by-step instructions for both methods!

Orange and apple slices, cinnamon sticks and spices in a large crock.Homemade Apple Cider Recipe - Easy and delicious homemade apple cider recipe made with apples, oranges, and spices. Simple to make on the stovetop or with my slow cooker apple cider recipe with step-by-step instructions for both methods!

Mulled Cider

Mulled cider is the ideal cozy drink for cool weather! Here’s how to make it in a slow cooker or…

Mulled cider is the ideal cozy drink for cool weather! Here’s how to make it in a slow cooker or on the stove. Infused with mulling spices like cinnamon and cloves, everything is better with a mug in hand!

Mulled cider

Why we love this recipe

Here’s a recipe for gray days and chilly evenings by the fire: mulled cider! Not only will it lift your spirits, it makes your entire kitchen smell like a candle shop. When Alex and I make it for friends, instantly everyone gathers around the pot, chattering and cupping their hands around the warm mugs.

Mulled cider is great for entertaining (like Thanksgiving and Christmas), since it makes a big batch. It’s easy to make on the stove or a slow cooker. As two cookbook authors, here our tried and true method!

Mulled cider

What are mulled cider spices?

Mulled cider is made with whole spices, which infuse the entire drink with cozy flavor. If you taste straight apple cider, you’ll find the flavor is crisp and apple forward. But after simmering with mulling spices, the flavor blossoms into something warm and spiced.

Because dried and ground spices end up making the drink cloudy, you’ll use whole spices when simmering. Mulled cider spices include:

  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Cloves
  • Allspice berries
  • Whole nutmeg
  • Star anise

Star anise is the most unique of all these mulled cider spices. It’s star-shaped and is available at most grocery stores. If you can’t find it, you can also buy star anise online.

Mulled cider spices

Tips for making the best mulled cider

Mulled cider isn’t rocket science, but there are a few things to keep in mind when making this drink! Here’s what makes the flavor top-notch:

  • Toast the spices first. Toasting the spices for a few minutes in the pot or a skillet helps to release even more of their flavor during the simmering time.
  • Garnish last. If you cook mulled cider with fruit like orange slices and apple slices, they’ll fall to the bottom and the color will fade. Instead, use them as a garnish after cooking: it looks beautiful for serving!
  • Strain if desired. Some brands of apple cider have some particulate in the bottom of the jug. This is completely expected! You can strain off any particulate that rises to the top, or just stir to re-incorporate it.
Mulled cider

3 methods: stovetop, slow cooker or Instant Pot

There are a few different ways to make mulled cider: each have pros and cons! Here’s a breakdown:

  • Stovetop method: The quickest! Only takes 1 hour. The only thing is you’ll have to watch to make sure that it stays on the lowest warming setting: it shouldn’t even come to a simmer.
  • Slow cooker method: Takes 3 hours. Totally hands off, it’s great for times when you can throw ingredients in the slow cooker while you prep other foods. Also, you can leave it on the warm setting and serve it right out of the Crock Pot.
  • Instant Pot method: Same advantages as above! Use this version if you have a pressure cooker and not a slow cooker.

Variation: spiked mulled cider

This mulled cider is fabulous on its own, but you can step it up by stirring in rum after simmering. The rum adds a bit of warmth and takes it to another level. Spiked mulled cider is the a perfect party drink!

If you’re serving a party where not everyone is drinking, you could also leave out the rum and let guests add a splash to their own drinks. The quantity in the recipe below adds only ½ tablespoon rum per glass—so all you need is a small swig!

Mulled cider

More cozy drinks

Looking for more cozy drinks like this one? There are so many great fall cocktails and winter drinks to try:

Dietary notes

This mulled cider is vegetarian, gluten-free, plant-based, vegan, and dairy-free.

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Mulled cider

Mulled Cider


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 6 reviews

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8
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Description

Mulled cider is the ideal cozy drink for cool weather! Here’s how to make it in a slow cooker or on the stove. Infused with mulling spices like cinnamon and cloves, everything is better with a mug in hand!


Ingredients

  • 1 whole nutmeg
  • 10 allspice berries
  • 10 cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • ½ gallon apple cider*
  • ¼ cup rum, optional
  • 1 small orange, for garnish
  • Whole cranberries, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Toast the spices: Add the nutmeg, allspice, cloves, star anise and cinnamon to the bottom of a pot (or to a skillet for Slow Cooker instructions). Toast over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
  2. Stovetop cooking instructions: Turn the heat to low. Pour in the apple cider and bring to below a simmer, just barely bubbling. Warm for 1 hour on low heat (don’t let it simmer). Skim off any particulate if desired, or stir to re-incorporate it.
  3. Slow Cooker & Instant Pot instructions: Place the apple cider in the slow cooker or Instant Pot (pressure cooker) with the spices. Cook on low for 3 hours OR Normal using the Instant Pot “Slow Cooker” setting.
  4. If using, stir in the rum. Garnish with orange slices and cranberries, then serve.

Notes

*Doubles easily, and fits into a standard slow cooker or Instant Pot.

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Stovetop / Pressure Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Tomato Relish

This Tomato Relish is tangy, sweet, slightly spicy, and PACKED with fresh flavors—everything a store-bought relish wishes it could be!

The post Tomato Relish appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Consider this Tomato Relish your new go-to “I have so many tomatoes, I don’t know what to do with them!” recipe. It’s tangy, sweet, slightly spicy, and PACKED with fresh flavors. Basically, it’s everything store-bought relish wishes it could be. I’ve kept the recipe super simple (no rest time or canning here!), meaning it’s quick and easy to whip up a batch whenever you have an abundance of ripe tomatoes. Jar it up and give it away as gifts, or keep it all to yourself for topping burgers, sandwiches, and more!

Tomato relish in glass jars.

Making a cheese board and need something to cut through the creaminess? Add some sweet tomato relish. Got leftover pulled pork in the fridge? Or how about a grilled cheese sandwich? You guessed it, add some of this relish! Juicy red tomatoes, zesty limes, mild red onion, simple seasonings, and sugar create the perfect balance of flavors in this recipe. And don’t worry, you don’t need any fancy equipment to make it. Everything comes together effortlessly in one pan on the stove—so easy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make homemade tomato relish:

  • Tomatoes: The base of the relish and what gives it that bright, tangy flavor. Use any type of fresh tomatoes you have on hand.
  • Limes: Adds a zesty tang to balance out the sweetness.
  • Ginger: Use fresh, grated ginger for a subtle fiery kick.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps thicken the relish.
  • Spices: Red pepper flakes, cumin, and ground cloves add a little spice and warmth. If you don’t have ground cloves, you can leave them out or substitute them with a pumpkin spice blend (trust me, it works!).
  • Red Onion: Infuses the relish with a mild onion flavor and adds some texture.

Whats The Difference Between Chutney and Relish?

Both are made from chopped veggies and/or fruit, an acid (often vinegar, but in this case, lime juice), and spices. So, in many ways, they’re very similar. The biggest difference between chutney and relish has to be the consistency. Chutneys, like our mango pineapple chutney, are usually thicker and spreadable as they’re cooked for longer. Relish is cooked for less time and has a chunkier, sweet and sour taste, with the fruit/veggies retaining more of their texture. Both are DELICIOUS and worth making at home! 

Tips and Notes

  • Any tomatoes will work in this tomato relish recipe. I went with 12 Roma tomatoes and a handful of grape tomatoes I had left from making roasted asparagus and tomatoes. Cherry and grape tomatoes have a super concentrated, yummy flavor, and the seeds are tiny and tender. Romas are super easy to seed and are pretty “meaty,” so they’re a great way to bulk up the relish. Use what you’ve got!
  • Cooking time may vary depending on how juicy your tomatoes are, so you’ll want to keep an eye on your relish to make sure the sugars don’t burn. Once your relish looks like it’s the same consistency as store-bought pickle relish and deepens in color and aroma, it’s done!
  • Don’t worry about peeling the tomatoes, but I do recommend removing the seeds from larger varieties. They can be quite bitter and make the texture of the tomato relish less than ideal.

How To Use Tomato Relish

This recipe for tomato relish would make a great holiday gift, so make as much as you want! I love homemade gifts, especially if my friends and family grew the tomatoes themselves or picked them up at our local farmers’ market! Those kinds of gifts are the most thoughtful and delicious from start to finish. This recipe yields about 6 mini 8oz jars, filled with about ¾ cups of relish per jar (you’ll want to leave a little space at the top of each sterilized mason jar, filling just to the designated “fill line”).

Here are some other ways I like to use tomato relish:

  • Paired with cheeses and fresh bread for an extra special charcuterie board.
  • To jazz up a homemade burger.
  • Topping deviled eggs to make them a little more interesting.
  • Smothered on top of toasty warm beer bread.

Storage Instructions

Store your tomato relish in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you want it to last longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Use a freezer-safe container and leave about an inch of space at the top for expansion. When you’re ready to use the relish, thaw it in the fridge overnight and enjoy!

A hand holding a slice of bread topped with tomato relish.
A side view of tomato relish in glass jars.
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Tomato Relish

This Tomato Relish is tangy, sweet, slightly spicy, and PACKED with fresh flavors—everything a store-bought relish wishes it could be!
Course condiment
Cuisine Amercian
Total Cost ($4.86 recipe / $0.81 serving)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 8oz jars (roughly 1 cup per jar)
Calories 159kcal

Ingredients

  • 5 cups tomatoes, roughly chopped and seeded* $2.52
  • 2 limes $0.50
  • 1 Tbsp grated peeled ginger, about 2 inches of fresh ginger $0.15
  • 1 cup sugar $0.84
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes $0.12
  • ½ tsp ground cumin $0.04
  • tsp ground cloves** $0.08
  • ½ red onion $0.61

Instructions

  • Zest and juice limes, dice onion, and gather chopped tomatoes, grated ginger, spices, and seasonings.
  • Combine all ingredient in a large sauce pan or skillet and stir together.
  • Simmer on medium heat, stirring every couple of minutes or so while the tomatoes and onions begin to cook down. The sugar will dissolve and everything will become nice and juicy.
  • Simmer and stir until the relish deepens in color and the juice cooks down by 1/4. When the relish becomes a thicker consistency (but still juicy, like any store-bought relish) it is done. Mine took about 30 minutes.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

* You can use any tomatoes you have on hand to make this relish, just make sure you have 5 cups diced for this recipe. No need to seed smaller varieties like grape or cherry tomatoes. I used about 12 Roma tomatoes and a small handful of cherry tomatoes.
** If you don’t have any clove on hand, you could leave it off or substitute with a pumpkin spice blend. I know it sounds weird, but pumpkin spice includes cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves… all of which would complement this relish!

Nutrition

Serving: 18oz jar | Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 10mg | Fiber: 2g
Overhead view of a pan filled with tomato relish.

how to make Tomato Relish – step by step photos

Ingredients for tomato relish on a wooden chopping board.

Zest and juice 2 limes (this will yield roughly 3 Tbsp of juice) and dice ½ a red onion into small pieces. Gather 5 cups of roughly chopped and seeded tomatoes*, 1 Tbsp grated and peeled fresh ginger, 1 cup of sugar, ½ tsp red pepper flakes, ½ tsp ground cumin, and ⅛ tsp ground cloves**.

Ingredients for tomato relish in a pan.

Add all the ingredients to a large pan and mix until combined.

Tomato relish halway through cooking in a pan.

Over medium heat, simmer the relish mix until the tomatoes and onions start cooking down. Stir the relish every few minutes to stop it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The sugar will dissolve, and the mixture will become juicy as it cooks.

Completed tomato relish in a pan.

Continue simmering until the tomato relish cooks down by ¼ and deepens to a rich red color. Once the relish thickens but is still juicy, it’s done! Mine took about 30 minutes to get to this stage. Turn off the heat and either use the relish right away while it’s hot or let it cool down and store it in sterilized jars for later!

A side view of tomato relish in glass jars.

Say goodbye to store-bought tomato relish and hello to homemade goodness!

The post Tomato Relish appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Warming 1-Pot Chickpea Curry (Vindaloo-Inspired)

An EASY vegan version of vindaloo has evaded us for a while. Recreating the rich, spicy, warming flavors of this Indian curry while staying true to our commitment to simplicity is a challenge. The quest continues, but through our trials and tribulation…

Warming 1-Pot Chickpea Curry (Vindaloo-Inspired)

An EASY vegan version of vindaloo has evaded us for a while. Recreating the rich, spicy, warming flavors of this Indian curry while staying true to our commitment to simplicity is a challenge. The quest continues, but through our trials and tribulations, we landed on a super comforting, warming chickpea curry that was too good not to share!

Made in 1 pot with easy-to-find ingredients, this curry is fuss-free and SO flavorful.

Warming 1-Pot Chickpea Curry (Vindaloo-Inspired) from Minimalist Baker →

Cranberry Chutney

Have you ever gone away for a few weeks and found out that you’d left the freezer door ajar? Well, I did. And let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty. Before traveling, since I’m anti-gaspillage (against food waste), I jammed whatever I could into my already-stuffed freezer, including a half-eaten tomato tart, which I thought would be nice to have ready-and-waiting upon my arrival home,…

Have you ever gone away for a few weeks and found out that you’d left the freezer door ajar? Well, I did. And let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty.

Before traveling, since I’m anti-gaspillage (against food waste), I jammed whatever I could into my already-stuffed freezer, including a half-eaten tomato tart, which I thought would be nice to have ready-and-waiting upon my arrival home, partially-used blocks of butter, and the miscellaneous leftover ends of bread that one collects when one constantly buys too much bread. When I returned, I realized that one of those bread pieces had been caught in the door and kept it from sealing closed.

Oddly, the fridge doors have an alarm, which beeps if they’re not completely shut, but the freezer door doesn’t. Coming home to an array of items that were half-frozen, half-defrosted (with gloopy liquid oozing out of them), possibly defrosted and then refrozen, and a few that were unidentifiable, was a bummer.

Some things I knew had to go – like sausages, stock, and a rather moldy half-eaten tomato tart, that I was sure could be reheated when I returned from my travels. (I won’t share a picture of that, but it looked like it needed a good shave.) But I also had several precious bags of cranberries that I’d stashed away for Thanksgiving and while they weren’t completely defrosted, I didn’t want to (or know if I could) refreeze them, so I decided to make chutney…and a whole lotta it.

Fortunately, all my candied and dried fruits were in fine condition and since I was cleaning my freezer, I also did a little purge of my drawers of things that weren’t sparking joy in my kitchen, and cooked them all up with some spices, some honey, orange juice, and vinegar, to make this tangy-tangy condiment.

(Just a note that dried fruits always spark joy in me. But a drawerful of little crinkled up cellophane bags with thirteen raisins or two dried apricots in them, don’t.)

To share my joy with you, I whittled my catastrophe-size recipe down to a reasonable recipe, but you’re welcome to double, triple, or quadruple it. Although it’ll keep for a few weeks in the refrigerator, I had so much that tightly sealed the overload into freezer bags and placed them back in the congélateur. However next time I’m headed out of town, I’m going to make sure my freezer is tightly sealed, because I’d be a bummer to lose those.

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Cranberry Chutney

Feel free to use any type, or combination, of dried fruit. Dates, figs, raisins, apricots, candied ginger, dried cherries, cranberries, pineapples, or other favorites, work well. (Of course, there's no need to chop the raisins or dried cranberries or cherries, if using.) You could also include chopped candied orange or lemon peel in the mix. Any tart apple is fine to use, but if using Golden Delicious apples, make sure to chop them very fine (unless you like chunks of apples in your chutney) as they don't break down as other apples do. If using frozen cranberries, no need to thaw them in advance. Just add them frozen and cook as directed. An interesting addition is to cook the chutney with a very small branch of rosemary. It'll lend an herbaceous note to the chutney. Remove it after the chutney is cooked. Or a tipple of whiskey (or an anise-based spirit, such as pastis) added right before the end of cooking could also be nice.
Course Side Dish
Keyword chutney, cranberry, sauce
Servings 3 cups (750ml)

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces (340g) cranberries fresh or frozen (if using frozen, no need to defrost before using)
  • 1 cup (125g) diced dried fruit (see headnote)
  • 1 tart apple cored, and finely diced (peeled or unpeeled)
  • 2/3 cup firmly-packed (140g) light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) orange or apple juice
  • 6 tablespoons (90ml) apple cider vinegar plus more if desired
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground dried ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • pinch red chile flakes
  • pinch salt

Instructions

  • Mix all the ingredients together in a large saucepan.
  • Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the cranberries pop and begin to break down and release their juices, and the apple pieces are cooked through. Time will vary but it'll take about 10 minutes or so.
  • Remove from heat and when the chutney is cool enough, taste and add 1 (or 2) tablespoons additional vinegar, if desired.

Notes

Serving: Serve with turkey (at Thanksgiving or another holiday), or with poultry, pork, roasted vegetables, or even cheese.
Storage: Store in jars in the refrigerator until ready to use. The chutney should keep for at least a month. It can also be frozen for up to six months. If you wish to can it, you can find guidelines at the National Center for Home Food Preservation website.
 

Chai-Spiced Nut Butter

The warming, sweet + spicy flavors of a chai latte infused into a creamy, spreadable snack? Yes, please! This homemade chai-spiced nut butter jazzes up any boring breakfast and makes a sweet holiday gift for friends and family.
Just 20 minutes and 9 in…

Chai-Spiced Nut Butter

The warming, sweet + spicy flavors of a chai latte infused into a creamy, spreadable snack? Yes, please! This homemade chai-spiced nut butter jazzes up any boring breakfast and makes a sweet holiday gift for friends and family.

Just 20 minutes and 9 ingredients are required for you to check homemade holiday gift giving off your to-do list. Let’s make nut butter!

How to Make Homemade Chai-Spiced Nut Butter

This creamy, warming spread begins with lightly roasting cashews and almonds to bring out their natural richness.

Chai-Spiced Nut Butter from Minimalist Baker →

Gingerbread Cookies

This recipe for Gingerbread Cookies makes plenty of soft, chewy, ginger-spiced molasses Christmas cookies that are perfect for decorating!

The post Gingerbread Cookies appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I don’t know if anything can get me in the holiday mood more than baking (and decorating) a batch of Gingerbread Cookies. Their warm, spicy aroma just smells like Christmas, and decorating them is SO. MUCH. FUN. This recipe for gingerbread cookies will make plenty of soft, chewy, spiced cookies for you and your friends and family to decorate, so bookmark this Gingerbread Cookie recipe and make them this weekend. And don’t forget to take a photo and show us your creations on social media!

Decorated gingerbread cookies on a baking sheet surrounded by pinecones.

What Are Gingerbread Cookies?

Gingerbread cookies are a cookie made with rich molasses and plenty of warm spices, like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. The gingerbread cookies are often cut into the shape of a man (aka gingerbread men), but can also be cut into a variety of holiday-themed shapes. Decorating gingerbread cookies is a popular holiday activity and my personal favorite!

Ingredients for Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies have many of the same ingredients as most basic cookies but include a variety of rich and warm spices. Here’s what you’ll need to make gingerbread cookies:

  • Butter: Butter is the base for many cookies. It gives the cookies plenty of richness and creamy buttery flavor.
  • Brown Sugar: Brown sugar gives these cookies a deeply rich sweetness, and helps keep the cookies soft.
  • Molasses: Molasses sweetens the cookies, adds an amazingly deep flavor, and gives the cookies a rich brown color.
  • Egg: Egg helps give the cookies structure and helps them rise just a little bit while baking.
  • Vanilla: Vanilla adds to the warm flavor profile of the cookies.
  • Baking Soda: A small amount of baking soda helps the cookies rise so they are nice and soft.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour gives the cookies structure and bulk.
  • Spices: A mix of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt gives the gingerbread cookies tons of warm flavor in every bite! Cinnamon also helps deepen the cookie’s classic brown color.

How to Decorate Gingerbread Cookies

While you don’t have to decorate gingerbread cookies, I think that’s half the fun. I like to keep things simple with a basic powdered sugar icing. To make the icing, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 1-2 Tbsp water, or just enough for it to form a thick icing. You can make multiple batches of the icing and color each one separately with a couple drops of food coloring, for even more decorating fun. Then just spoon the icing into a plastic bag, cut off just a sliver of the corner of the bag to create a piping tip, and then decorate away!

You can also add tons of other fun items to the gingerbread cookies, like sprinkles, red hot candies, peppermints, or any other type of small candy. These extras will take your gingerbread cookies to the next level!

Storing Gingerbread Cookies

Once cooled and decorated (and once the icing has dried), the gingerbread cookies can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for about one week. …But I’m sure they’ll all get eaten before then!

A plate full of decorated gingerbread cookies.
Decorated gingerbread cookies scattered on a white surface.
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Gingerbread Cookies

This recipe for Gingerbread Cookies makes plenty of soft, chewy, ginger-spiced molasses Christmas cookies that are perfect for decorating!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 46 minutes
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 178kcal

Ingredients

Icing (optional)

  • 1 cup powdered sugar $0.32
  • 1-2 Tbsp water $0.00

Instructions

  • Add the butter and brown sugar to a bowl and use a mixer to beat them together until light and creamy. Add the molasses, vanilla, and egg, and beat until creamy again.
  • In a separate large bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
  • Add about ⅓ of the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, then beat on low speed until incorporated. Repeat until all of the flour has been added to the batter. It should form a very soft cookie dough.
  • Transfer the cookie dough to a large piece of plastic, shape it into a ball, and wrap it tightly. Refrigerate for at least two hours, or up to one day.
  • When ready to make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350ºF. Divide the cookie dough in half to make it easier to work with (keep the other half in the refrigerator until ready to use). Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until it's about ⅛-inch thick. Cut the dough into your desired shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, at least one inch apart.
  • Bake the cookies for 8 minutes, or until slightly puffed in the center and they are just beginning to brown on the outer edges. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely.

Icing (optional)

  • While the cookies are cooling, place the powdered sugar in a bowl and add 1 Tbsp water. Stir to combine, then continue to add water, a very small amount at a time, until it forms a thick icing (about 1-2 Tbsp total).
  • Place the icing in a plastic bag and cut a very small piece off the corner to create a piping tip. Pipe the icing onto the cooled cookies in your favorite design!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Sodium: 147mg | Fiber: 1g
Decorated gingerbread cookies scattered on a white surface.

How to Make Gingerbread Cookies – Step by Step Photos

Wet ingredients for gingerbread cookies in a mixing bowl.

Using a mixer, beat together 12 Tbsp (¾ cup) room-temperature salted butter and ¾ cup brown sugar until light and creamy. Add ½ cup molasses, one tsp vanilla extract, and one large egg, then beat until smooth again.

Dry ingredients for gingerbread cookies in a mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl, stir together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 tsp cinnamon 1 Tbsp ginger, ½ tsp cloves, ½ tsp nutmeg, and ½ tsp salt.

Dry ingredients added to the butter and sugar mixture.

Add about ⅓ of the flour mixture to the butter and sugar, then beat on low speed until combined. Repeat until all of the flour and spices have been added to the cookie batter.

Finished cookie batter in the mixing bowl.

When all of the flour and spices have been added, you’ll have a very soft cookie batter.

Ball of cookie batter wrapped in plastic.

Place the cookie batter on a large sheet of plastic wrap, shape it into a ball, and wrap it tightly. Refrigerate the dough for at least two hours (it can stay refrigerated for up to a day).

Gingerbread cookie batter rolled out and being cut with a cookie cutter.

When you’re ready to make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350ºF. Divide the dough in half to make it easier to work with and place the other half in the refrigerator until ready to roll. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1/8-inch thick, then cut into your desired shapes.

Cookies ready to bake on a baking sheet.

Place the cut cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet with at least 1 inch between each cookie (they will expand a little). Gather up the dough scraps, roll again, and cut more until there is little or no dough left. Keep any unused dough in the refrigerator so it stays chilled.

Baked gingerbread cookies on the baking sheet.

Bake the cookies in the preheated 350ºF oven for 8 minutes, or until slightly puffed in the center and the outer edges are just beginning to brown. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool.

Powdered sugar icing in a bowl being stirred.

While the cookies are cooling, prepare the simple powdered sugar glaze. Add 1 cup powdered sugar to a bowl and add 1 Tbsp water. Stir to combine. Continue to add water, a little at a time, until it forms a thick glaze (1-2 Tbsp total water).

Cookies being decorated with icing.

Spoon the icing into a plastic bag and cut off a very small piece of the corner to use as a piping tip, then have fun!

Overhead view of decorated gingerbread cookies on a baking sheet with pinecones on the sides.

The post Gingerbread Cookies appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

This cozy apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is the perfect hot breakfast for cool fall mornings, and it’s great for meal prep, too!

The post Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Who needs those autumn-themed candles when you’ve got Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal in the oven? NO ONE. This warm and cozy oatmeal casserole, of sorts, is the epitome of fall vibes. Not only will this baked oatmeal make your house smell amazing, but it’s an easy way to meal prep breakfast for the week ahead. It’s cozy, delicious, filling, and EASY. 🙌

Overhead view of a casserole dish full of apple cinnamon baked oatmeal with the corner being scooped out.

What is Baked Oatmeal?

If you’re new to baked oatmeal, it’s kind of like bread pudding, but made with oats instead of chunks of bread. It’s sweet, rich, hearty, and absolutely amazing. The texture is soft and moist, but not goopy like traditional oatmeal can be, and it gets just a little bit crispy around the edges of the baking dish. You can eat it hot out of the oven and the leftovers can be eaten cold or reheated in the microwave. I like to pour a little cold milk over top for a delicious hot-cold combo. Baked oatmeal can also be frozen in single-serving containers for quick reheatable weekday breakfasts!

Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

This apple cinnamon baked oatmeal combines our usual baked oatmeal base with apples that are coated in a little cinnamon and sugar, and then baked until they form an apple pie-like layer on the bottom of the oats. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this incredible apple cinnamon baked oatmeal:

  • Fresh apples: Pick a sweet or semi-sweet variety of apple, like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp. And, of course, take advantage of the fresh fall apples for the best price and flavor!
  • Oats: Make sure to use old-fashioned rolled oats for this recipe, not quick oats or minute oats, to achieve the best texture. Quick oats are too thin and will create a mushier texture.
  • Milk and eggs: Milk and eggs create a custard that keeps the baked oats soft, tender, and moist. I like to use whole milk, but you can substitute it with non-dairy milk if needed.
  • Brown sugar and applesauce: Using both broth sugar and applesauce to sweeten the baked oatmeal creates an even bigger apple pie-like flavor without having to use too much added sugar.
  • Spices: Cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla make these baked oats that classic fall aroma!
  • Lemon juice: A little lemon juice brightens up the baked apples and really makes their flavor shine.
  • Cornstarch and baking powder: These two ingredients are added for texture. The cornstarch helps thicken the apple juices as they bake, creating a pie-filling-like texture. The baking powder lightens the oat mixture just a touch so it’s not quite so heavy.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

Baked oatmeal is pretty versatile. You can eat it either hot OR cold. I love it just out of the oven with a little cold milk poured over top, but it’s also great cold after it’s been refrigerated overnight. You can top it with some nuts or even some whipped cream for an even more dessert-like treat!

How to Store The Leftovers

After baking, divide the oatmeal into single-serving portions and refrigerate until completely cool. The baked oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, or you can transfer it to the freezer for longer storage (about three months). Refrigerated or frozen baked oatmeal can be reheated quickly in the microwave.

A bowl full of apple cinnamon baked oatmeal with milk.
Overhead view of a casserole dish of apple cinnamon baked oatmeal with the corner being scooped out.
Print

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

This cozy apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is the perfect hot breakfast for cool fall mornings, and it's great for meal prep, too!
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American
Total Cost $5.92 recipe / $0.99 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 (about 1.3 cups each)
Calories 336kcal

Ingredients

Baked Apple Layer

  • 4 medium apples (about 2 lbs. total) $2.66
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice $0.06
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar $0.06
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch $0.03
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon $0.05
  • 1/8 tsp cloves $0.02

Baked Oatmeal Layer

  • 1.5 cups unsweetened applesauce $0.91
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar $0.12
  • 2 large eggs $0.18
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract $0.59
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1 tsp baking powder $0.06
  • 1 tsp cinnamon $0.10
  • 1.5 cups milk* $0.72
  • 2.5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats $0.72

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Core and dice the apples.
  • Place the diced apples in the bottom of a 9×9-inch (or 2 qt.) casserole dish. Add the lemon juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and cloves. Stir until the apples are coated in sugar and spices.
  • Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
  • While the apples are baking, prepare the baked oatmeal mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. Then add the milk and whisk to combine again.
  • Finally, stir the dry oats into the applesauce mixture and stir until fully combined.
  • After the apples come out of the oven, give them a good stir, then pour the oat mixture over top. Return the dish to the oven (uncovered) and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
  • After baking for 30 more minutes the oats should be golden brown on top and you may see some of the apple cinnamon layer bubbling up around the edges. Let the oats cool for about five minutes before serving.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*I use whole milk but you can use any type of milk, including non-dairy varieties.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.3cups | Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 6g | Sodium: 514mg | Fiber: 7g
Overhead view of a casserole dish full of apple cinnamon baked oatmeal with ingredients on the sides.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal – Step by Step Photos

Four apples on a cutting board.

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Core and dice four medium apples (about ½ lb. each).

Apples in the casserole dish with sugar, spices, and cornstarch added.

Place the apples in the bottom of a 9×9-inch or 2-quart casserole dish. Add 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 Tbsp cornstarch, ½ tsp cinnamon, and ⅛ tsp cloves. Stir until the apples are evenly coated in sugar and spices.

Baked apples in the casserole dish.

Cover the dish with foil and bake the apples for 15 minutes in the preheated 375ºF oven.

Eggs, applesauce, sugar, and spices in a bowl.

While the apples are baking, begin preparing the oat mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, 1.5 cups unsweetened applesauce, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ¼ cup brown sugar.

Milk being poured into the bowl of applesauce mixture.

Add 1.5 cups milk to the applesauce mixture, then whisk again to combine.

Dry oats stirred into the applesauce and milk mixture.

Add 2.5 cups rolled oats (not quick oats) and stir until everything is evenly combined.

Oat mixture in the casserole dish on top of the baked apples.

After the baked apples come out of the oven, give them a stir, then pour the oat mixture over top of the apples. Place the dish back into the oven (uncovered) and bake for 30 minutes more.

Baked oatmeal in the casserole dish from above.

After 30 minutes the oats should be golden brown around the edges and you might see some of the apple cinnamon layer bubbling up around the edges. Remove the baked oatmeal from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Side view of a casserole dish full of apple cinnamon baked oatmeal with a portion scooped out.

The bottom layer will be sweet and tender baked apples and the top layer will be a soft baked oatmeal. SO GOOD!

Milk being poured into a bowl of apple cinnamon baked oatmeal.

I like to eat my apple cinnamon baked oatmeal with a splash of cold milk on top!

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