Huckleberry Cake

A delicious one-bowl recipe for Huckleberry Cake with a Lemony Glaze made with lemon zest, vanilla, yogurt and olive oil. Light and summery, perfect for brunch, dessert or afternoon tea.

Huckleberry Cake with Lemony Glaze
A delicious one-bowl recipe for Huckleberry Cake with a Lemony Glaze made with lemon zest, vanilla, yogurt and olive oil. Light and summery, perfect for brunch, dessert or afternoon tea.

Summer Fruit Salad

This luscious Fruit Salad is made with summer ripe stone fruit and berries. Cherries, peaches, and apricots along with blueberries and fresh basil- tossed in a delicious vanilla balsamic dressing.

This luscious Fruit Salad is made with summer ripe stone fruit and berries. Cherries, peaches, and apricots along with blueberries and fresh basil- tossed in a delicious vanilla balsamic dressing.
This luscious Fruit Salad is made with summer ripe stone fruit and berries. Cherries, peaches, and apricots along with blueberries and fresh basil- tossed in a delicious vanilla balsamic dressing.

Ensalada de Aguacate (Avocado Salad)

Ensalada de Aguacate, a Puerto Rican-style Avocado Salad, is a quick and easy summer salad you can make for about a dollar a serving.

The post Ensalada de Aguacate (Avocado Salad) appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Ensalada de Aguacate, a Puerto Rican-style Avocado Salad, is a quick and easy summer salad that’s so tasty and refreshing you’ll find yourself craving it on sweltering days. To bulk up the salad, I layer the creamy avocado with cooling slices of tomato. So technically, it’s an Ensalada de Aguacate y Tomate (Avocado and Tomato Salad), but who wants to type all of that out 150 times? Not this girl. Oh yeah- it comes in at under a dollar a serving! #win

Overhead shot of Ensalada de Aguacate on a white plate.

What Is Ensalada De Aguacate?

This avocado salad is a very popular Latin dish, and every family has their own spin on it. It’s slices of creamy avocado, pungent onions, and in this case, tangy tomatoes dressed in a very simple mix of oil and vinegar. Some versions also include vegetables like bell peppers and radishes, fruit like mango and grapefruit, cheeses like Queso Fresco or Mozzarella, or proteins like chicken, walnuts, or sliced hard-boiled eggs.

What You’ll Need

This Avocado Salad makes for a beautifully composed salad, but you don’t have to go crazy with it as I did here. I love salad with a wow factor, and taking a few extra minutes to layer the components makes for a beautiful presentation. You can present the salad in a bowl, but do your best to mix it gently, or the avocado will fall apart faster than a reality show housewife. Here’s what you’ll need to make Ensalada de Aguacate:

  • Avocado: This fruit is the star of the show and adds creamy and slightly nutty notes to our salad, along with a creamy texture. I know someone, somewhere, will ask me what to substitute for the avocado in the avocado salad because they hate avocado. And to them, I say, just leave it out and enjoy a tasty tomato salad. (Editor’s note: Beth, please check out my lack of sarcasm and my extra-large serving of helpful advice. I’ve grown!)
  • Yellow Onion: This has an assertive spiciness that helps cut through the fatty avocado. You can sub it with any onion you have on hand, including green onion. If you use red onion, make sure to soak it for a minute in cold water to make it less pungent. If you’re not about that onion life, skip it.
  • Tomato: This fruit adds a sweet tartness to the salad and helps bulk it up to keep it budget-friendly. Use any ripe tomato you have on hand. If you’re not a fan of tomatoes, substitute them with cucumber, grapefruit, or mango.
  • Olive Oil: This is the fat in our simple dressing. In a pinch, substitute the olive oil with canola, sunflower, or any nut oil. Just be aware the flavor profile will change significantly.
  • Distilled White Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar: These are the acids in our dressing. I mix them to create deeper flavors but feel free to use either one on its own. You can also use any other clear or lightly-colored vinegar, though the punchier it is, the better.
Side shot of Ensalada de Aguacate on a white plate.

How To Pick Avocados

  1. Look for blackish-dark-green skin, which signals that the avocado has ripened. Bright green skin means they aren’t ready.
  2. When you gently press a finger into the avocado skin, the flesh should give slightly. If it’s mushy, its time has passed.
  3. Flick off what’s left of the stem at the top of the avocado. If it loosens easily and reveals a lime green top, it’s ripe. If it doesn’t flick off, it’s not ripe. If it flicks off and the top is black, it’s too ripe for a salad but might work for guacamole.

How To Ripen Avocados

To help ripen an avocado quickly, place it in a paper bag with an apple or a banana. Close the bag and leave it at room temperature. The natural gases released by the apple or banana will help your avocado mature faster. Some Tik-Tok folks think you can use a microwave to ripen an avocado, but all you’re doing is cooking the avocado, which softens it but will still taste like an unripe avocado.

What To Serve With Avocado Salad

This Ensalada de Aguacate pairs beautifully with other Puerto Rican dishes like Puerto Rican Rice and Beans, Arroz Con Pollo, Chuletas Guisadas, or Pollo Guisado. However, you don’t have to have a Latin spread to enjoy it! Add it as a side at your next cookout. It pairs wonderfully with BBQ Ribs, Sausage Kebabs, Smash Burgers, or Marinated Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Overhead shot of Ensalada de Aguacate on a white plate with a black fork and knife cutting into it.
Overhead shot of Ensalada de Aguacate on a white plate.
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Ensalada De Aguacate (Avocado Salad)

Ensalada de Aguacate, a Puerto Rican-style Avocado Salad, is easy, ready in just ten minutes, and the kind of summer salad that's so refreshing and tasty you'll find yourself craving it on sweltering days.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine Latin
Total Cost $3.56 recipe / $0.89 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 cups
Calories 205kcal

Ingredients

Dressing

Salad

  • 2 medium tomatoes $0.90
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion $0.38
  • 2 medium avocados $1.98
  • 3/8 tsp salt, divided $0.02

Instructions

  • Make the dressing. In a mason jar, add white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, finely chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. Cover and give it a good shake.
  • Slice the tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds, then slice the rounds into halves. Slice the yellow onion into 1/4-inch thick half-moons. Slice the avocados into 1/4-inch thick half moons. If the avocados are large, then slice the half-moons in half.
  • Add half the tomato slices to a large dinner plate in one layer. Spoon 2 teaspoons of the dressing on the tomatoes and sprinkle with 1 pinch of salt.
  • Add half the onions in a single layer and drizzle with 2 teaspoons of dressing and a pinch of salt. Add half of the avocado slices in a single layer, and follow with 2 teaspoons of dressing and a pinch of salt.
  • Repeat the layering process with the remaining slices of tomatoes, onions, and avocados. Garnish with a few cilantro leaves and serve.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 300mg | Fiber: 7g

How to Make Ensalada De Aguacate – Step by Step Photos

Overhead shot of dressing in a small mason jar.

Make the dressing. In a mason jar, add 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Cover and give it a good shake.

Overhead shot of slice avocados, tomatoes, ad onions on a wood cutting board.

Slice two medium tomatoes into 1/4 inch rounds, then slice the rounds into halves. Then cut half a medium yellow onion into 1/4 inch into half moons. Finally, slice two medium avocados into 1/4-inch half moons. Add a touch of the dressing to the surface of the avocados to keep them from turning brown.

Overhead shot of tomatoes on a white plate with dressing being spooned over them.

Add half the tomato slices to a large dinner plate in one layer. Spoon 2 teaspoons of the dressing on the tomatoes and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.

Overhead shot of the first layer of tomatoes, avocados, and onion in Ensalada de Aguacate on a white plate.

Add half the onions in a single layer on top of the avocado and drizzle with 2 teaspoons of dressing and a pinch of salt. Next, add half of the avocado slices in a single layer on top of the sliced onion, and follow with 2 teaspoons of dressing and a pinch of salt.

Overhead shot of finished Ensalada de Aguacate on a white plate.

Repeat the layering process with the remaining tomato, onion, and avocado slices. Garnish with a few cilantro leaves and serve. Guaranteed this will be one of the most refreshing summer salads you’ve ever had!

More Easy Summer Salads

The post Ensalada de Aguacate (Avocado Salad) appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Peach Baked Oatmeal

Crispy and caramelized on the outside and velvety on the inside, this easy breakfast dish will become a morning favorite.

The post Peach Baked Oatmeal appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I know this recipe for buttery Peach Baked Oatmeal is awesome because everyone in the studio got quiet when they were eating it, a rare moment with our lively group! Crispy and caramelized on the outside and velvety on the inside, this easy breakfast dish will become a morning favorite. Did I mention this baked oatmeal comes in at a little over a dollar per serving?? You’ve got to make this recipe!

Overhead shot of Peach Baked Oatmeal in a white baking dish.

What is Baked Oatmeal?

Baked oatmeal is exactly what it sounds like. It’s oats mixed with a liquid, a binder (like eggs), a sweetener, a fat (like butter), and other ingredients to add flavor and texture, like fruit, nuts, and spices. The oatmeal absorbs all of the flavors that were mixed into it so it blossoms when you taste it. My recipe is less custardy than our website’s other baked oatmeal recipes. It has more of a bite, like pasta. That’s because I use less liquid, so the oats retain their shape and get these crispy golden edges… OMG, I have to stop writing about it cause I’m going to end up in my kitchen making baked oatmeal at 10 o’clock at night like a crazy person. Just trust. It’s fantastic.

Ingredients For Baked Oatmeal

The best thing about baked oatmeal is that it’s endlessly customizable. You can use any fruit, nuts, or spices you like. This is what you’ll need to make my favorite combination:

  • Oatmeal– Skip the instant oats which turn to mush in a heartbeat and stick to old-fashioned, which will give you a better texture. While you can bake steel-cut oats, the liquid-to-oats ratio is different, and I haven’t tested that, so I can’t give you any direction.
  • Peaches– Canned in their own juices is my go-to, as I use the juices in the recipe. If using fresh or frozen, you’ll need to add a cup of water to the mix. You can substitute peaches with apples, pears, or bananas, also adding a cup of water to the mix.
  • Butter– because you can’t get those crispy edges without it and those crispy edges are EVERYTHING. Substitute with vegan butter if you’re dairy-free.
  • Cream– helps create a velvety texture. You can use whole milk as well, though I’d add an additional tablespoon of butter. Use coconut cream if you want to skip the dairy. Just make sure it’s full fat. You need it.
  • Eggs– will help bind the oatmeal. If you want to skip the eggs you can try using 2 ripe bananas as a binder.
  • Brown Sugar– mixes with the butter to develop deep caramel notes. You can substitute it with your preferred sweetener.
  • Cinnamon and Vanilla– season and scent the oatmeal. They also pair exquisitely with peaches and help elevate the fruit’s flavors.
Overhead shot of a portion of Peach Baked Oatmeal being lifted out of a white baking dish.

Tips For The Best Baked Oatmeal

  1. Use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats. Old-fashioned oats will give your baked oatmeal a chewier texture.
  2. Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing will make your baked oatmeal tough. Fold the ingredients in and mix until they are barely combined.
  3. Bake the oatmeal until it’s cooked through. Underbaked oatmeal will be mushy. You want the oatmeal to have a slight bite.

Baked Oatmeal Toppings

If you’re looking to add a little extra oomph to your Peach Baked Oatmeal, it pairs beautifully with our Homemade Whipped Cream. You can also top it with Strawberry Syrup, Blueberry Sauce, or our Lemon Curd. Or you can go wild and use all four! ( Editor’s Note: I know it seems like too much sugar, Beth- but think of how amazing it would be to start your day with such decadence! Don’t fight it. )

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Cool leftovers completely before storing them so the oatmeal doesn’t get soggy. Store baked oatmeal in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days and in the freezer for three months. To reheat, microwave it for a few minutes until steaming.

Overhead shot of Peach Baked Oatmeal in a white bowl with cream in it.
Overhead shot of Peach Baked Oatmeal in a white baking dish.
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Peach Baked Oatmeal

Crispy and caramelized on the outside and velvety on the inside, this easy and budget-friendly breakfast dish will become a morning favorite.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Total Cost ($6.30 recipe / $1.05 serving)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 508kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 15oz. cans sliced peaches in their juices $3.18
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, divided $0.24
  • 8 Tbsp salted butter, divided $1.12
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla, divided $0.25
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon, divided $0.05
  • 1 pinch salt $0.01
  • 3 cups oats (old-fashioned or rolled) $0.54
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream $0.69
  • 2 large eggs, beaten $0.22

Instructions

  • Set an oven rack in the middle of your oven and preheat it to 375°F. Drain the cans of peaches, reserving the juices. Add the drained peaches to a 13×9 inch baking dish, reserving six slices for garnish. Add 1/4cup brown sugar to the peaches. Dice 4 tablespoons of butter and sprinkle over the peaches. Finish with 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
  • Add the old-fashioned or rolled oats to a large bowl. Add 1/4teaspoon cinnamon and the remaining 1/4cup brown sugar and mix well.
  • Mix 1 cup of peach juices with the cream and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. Add the beaten eggs and mix. Add the wet mixture to the oatmeal and stir just until incorporated.
  • Dollop the oats over the peaches. Dice the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and sprinkle over the top. Garnish with peach slices.
  • Bake until it is golden brown and crispy, about 45 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes. Enjoy as is or serve with a little cream!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 508kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 27g | Sodium: 179mg | Fiber: 6g
Overhead shot of Peach Baked Oatmeal in a white bowl with cream in it with a spoon lifting a portion out of it.

How to Make Peach baked Oatmeal – Step by Step Photos

Set a rack in the middle of your oven and preheat it to 375°F. Drain the 2 (15oz) cans of peaches, reserving the juices. Add the drained peaches to a 13 x 9 baking dish, reserving six slices for garnish. Add 1/4 cup brown sugar to the peaches. Dice 1/2 stick of butter and sprinkle it over the peaches. Finish with 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla.

Add 3 cups of old-fashioned or rolled oats to a large bowl. Add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar and mix well.

Mix 1 cup of peach juice with the 1/2 cup of heavy cream and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. Add the 2 beaten eggs and mix. Add the wet mixture to the oatmeal and stir just until incorporated.

Overhead shot of raw Peach Baked Oatmeal in a white baking dish.

Dollop the oats over the peaches. Dice the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and sprinkle over the top. Garnish with peach slices.

Overhead shot of Peach Baked Oatmeal in a white baking dish.

Bake until it is golden brown and crispy, about 45 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving! (If you can wait for that long. I’ve yet to accomplish this feat. But I don’t mind eating peach-flavored lava. You do you.) I like to serve it with a little cream in a bowl that I refill over and over and over again. Enjoy!

Side shot of Peach Baked Oatmeal in a white bowl with cream being poured into it.

More Baked Oatmeal Recipes

The post Peach Baked Oatmeal appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Strawberry Galette

This Strawberry Galette is bright, cheery and full of springtime flavor. Lemon and rosemary perfectly compliment the sweet berries. A rustic flaky rye pastry crust encloses the succulent filling.

This Strawberry Galette is bright, cheery and full of springtime flavor. Lemon and rosemary perfectly compliment the sweet berries. A rustic flaky rye pastry crust encloses the succulent filling.
This Strawberry Galette is bright, cheery and full of springtime flavor. Lemon and rosemary perfectly compliment the sweet berries. A rustic flaky rye pastry crust encloses the succulent filling.

Pavlova

How to make a beautiful Pavlova- a simple dessert in elegant disguise! Light and airy, topped with whipped cream and fresh berries, it’s perfect for celebrations and gatherings. Can be made ahead, and gluten-free!

Pavlova with fresh berries and lofty whip cream. A light and airy dessert perfect for celebrations and gatherings. With a little planning ahead, this is easier than you may think!  
How to make a beautiful Pavlova- a simple dessert in elegant disguise! Light and airy, topped with whipped cream and fresh berries, it's perfect for celebrations and gatherings. Can be made ahead, and gluten-free!

Blueberry Muffins

Tender Blueberry Muffins lightly sweetened, enhanced with lemon zest, vanilla and cardamom made with fresh or frozen blueberries. A delicious breakfast or afternoon snack. Gluten-free adaptable.

Tender Blueberry Muffins lightly sweetened, enhanced with lemon zest, vanilla and cardamom made with fresh or frozen blueberries. A delicious breakfast or afternoon snack. Gluten-free adaptable.
Tender Blueberry Muffins lightly sweetened, enhanced with lemon zest, vanilla and cardamom made with fresh or frozen blueberries. A delicious breakfast or afternoon snack. Gluten-free adaptable.

Green Smoothie

This Green Smoothie is creamy, tangy, and light! Yes, it’s good for you, but more importantly, it’s so yummy you’ll start to crave it.

The post Green Smoothie appeared first on Budget Bytes.

This Green Smoothie is creamy, tangy, and light! Yes, it’s good for you, but more importantly, it’s so yummy you’ll start to crave it. I started making it to sneak more greens into my kiddo’s diet during the blisteringly hot LA summer months, but we loved it so much that it became a year-round favorite. PS I’ve made this green smoothie recipe for hundreds of kids at the cooking classes I host at schools all over the country. I’ve never had anyone not drink the whole thing. So this one’s a winner!

Side shot of green smoothies surrounded by cut fruit.

What Is A Green Smoothie?

A green smoothie is a velvety blend of leafy greens like spinach and kale, frozen fruit to add natural sweetness, and a liquid or creamy ingredient to help bring everything together and create a smooth texture. It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics.

What You’ll Need

This green smoothie recipe is simple because I’m not particularly eager to complicate my morning routine. I love that I can put the green smoothie ingredients in freezer packs if I’m facing a busy week. Sometimes I’ll blend the smoothie the night before, shake it up in the morning, and it’s still absolute perfection.

  • Baby spinach – this is the “green” in your smoothie. It blends easily, and the fruit in the smoothie overpowers its mild flavor. You can sub with baby kale or your favorite super greens blend.
  • Plain Yogurt – adds creaminess and a smooth texture. I use yogurt with probiotics to up the nutrition factor. You can substitute the yogurt with milk, cottage cheese, or plant-based alternatives.
  • Orange Juice – helps to loosen the smoothie texture and adds a sweet tang that helps cover the bitterness of the raw spinach. You can sub with apple juice, pineapple juice, or with water.
  • Green Apple – adds fiber and acidic notes that mask the spinach flavors. You don’t have to peel your apple, but make sure you scrub the peel with baking soda to remove the wax used to preserve it. You can substitute the apple with any other apple, grapes, peaches, mango, or pear.
  • Frozen Bananas – you need to blend frozen fruit to create a creamy smoothie texture. Ice will only water down your results and ruin the blades of your blender. Bananas should be ripe, as their natural sugars will help sweeten the blend. Substitute bananas with frozen avocado, or frozen mango.
  • Frozen Pineapple – the bright, tart notes of pineapple help mask the spinach flavor. You can freeze pineapple canned in its own juices to help lower costs. Reserve the juices and use them instead of orange juice.
Overhead shot of three green smoothies surrounded by cut fruit.

Green Smoothie Benefits

Greens are the most nutrient-dense when consumed raw, like in this smoothie. This green smoothie recipe is a good source of Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Iron, Potassium, and Calcium. These nutrients help with bone strength and digestive health and support immunity. Learn more about the health benefits of green smoothies HERE.

How To Make A Smoothie Pack

I use a large mason jar to store my smoothie packs because I pour the smoothie back into the jar as soon as I blend it. You can keep the ingredients in your freezer-safe container of choice.

  1. Slice the bananas and add them to your freezer-safe container.
  2. Follow with the pineapple and the apple.
  3. Top with spinach and seal.

When you’re ready to enjoy your smoothie, add the juice and yogurt to a blender jar, add the spinach from the pack, and process until creamy. Follow with the remaining ingredients in the pack and blend until smooth.

Side shot of hand holding green smoothie with a straw in it.
Side shot of green smoothies surrounded by cut fruit.
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Green Smoothie

This Green Smoothie is creamy, tangy, and light! Yes, it's good for you, but more importantly, it's so yummy you'll start to crave it.
Course Breakfast, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine American
Total Cost $6.21 recipe / $0.78 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 8 cups
Calories 75kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup orange juice $0.50
  • 1/2 cup yogurt, plain $0.34
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach, packed (5 oz container) $3.00
  • 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks $1.25
  • 1 green apple, chopped $0.62
  • 2 bananas, frozen $0.50

Instructions

  • Add orange juice and yogurt to a blender jar. Top with fresh baby spinach and blend until smooth.
  • Add the pineapple, apple, and bananas and blend until smooth. Add more juice (or water) to thin out the smoothie to your preference.
  • Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to a day to ensure maximum freshness, nutrition, and flavor.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 20mg | Fiber: 2g
Overhead shot of three green smoothies surrounded by cut fruit.

How to Make A Green Smoothie – Step by Step Photos

Side shot of juice being added to a blender full of spinach.

Add 1 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup yogurt to a blender jar. Top with 4 cups fresh baby spinach and blend until smooth.

Side shot of frozen fruit being added to blended spinach.

Add 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks, one green apple peeled and chopped, and two frozen bananas. Blend until smooth. Add more juice (or water) to thin out the smoothie to your preference.

Overhead shot of finished smoothie in a blender.

Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to a day to ensure maximum freshness, nutrition, and flavor.

Side shot of green smoothies surrounded by cut fruit.

More Great Smoothie Recipes

The post Green Smoothie appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Apple Pie

If you’re looking for a scrumptious apple pie recipe that will make everyone at your table gasp with delight- this is it!

The post Apple Pie appeared first on Budget Bytes.

If you’re looking for an apple pie recipe that will make everyone at your table gasp with delight- this is it! The filling is effortless and ridiculously tasty. Pair it with my buttery 3 Ingredient Pie Crust, and you’ll never go back to store-bought apple pie again. #forserious

How Many Apples Will I Need?

This recipe is for a standard pie pan with a volume of 4 cups. However, since apples lose up to 30% of their volume as they bake, you can’t just fill a pie pan with 4 cups of apples and call it a day. You’ll end up with a pie with a crater in the middle. You’ll need about 6 cups of sliced apples or 6 to 8 apples, depending on the size of your fruit.

How Thick Should I Slice My Apples?

It’s best if you slice apples about 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick. Any thicker, and they won’t cook through by the time your crust does. Any thinner, and they’ll dissolve and leave you with a soggy bottom crust. The most important thing to keep in mind is that your apples should all be about the same thickness so they cook uniformly.

The Best Apples For Apple Pie

I divide the apple display at my grocery into two sections: great for pie and awful for pie. Apples that are great for pie hold their shape during a bake and have complex flavors. Try a combination of these for apple pie supremacy:

  • Honey Crisp
  • Granny Smith
  • Pink Lady
  • Golden Delicious

Apples that are awful for pie taste one-dimensional and fall apart faster than a reality show housewife. While great for apple sauce or apple butter, avoid the following for pie:

  • McIntosh
  • Fuji
  • Gala
  • Red Delicious

What’s The Best Crust For Apple Pie?

Apples are juicy, so you need a bottom crust that can hold up to a whole lot of liquid, i.e., a mealy pie dough. This is what it’s called because the pieces of fat in the flour are tiny and look like coarse cornmeal. They create a tight crumb that repels liquids, so you don’t have to worry about a soggy bottom.

Of course, you also want a flaky top crust, which is created with larger pieces of fat. These bigger pieces of fat take up space, and as they melt during baking, they leave behind crispy layers, perfect for a decadent first bite. Lucky for you, my 3 Ingredient Pie Crust is a hybrid between a mealy and flaky crust, so you only have to make one crust.

How To Avoid A Soggy Bottom

Avoiding a soggy bottom takes more than using the proper crust. Check out these tips for the crispiest bottom crust ever:

  • Draw out your apples’ natural juices by sprinkling them with sugar and spices. Then cook the juices until they transform into a caramel.
  • Cook the apple slices in the caramel for a few minutes, further reducing the liquids and concentrating the flavors.
  • Seal your bottom pie crust by brushing it with a small amount of beaten egg white.
  • Bake your pie on a pizza stone or baking steel. These tools trap heat and help cook your bottom crust faster, sealing it, so the juices don’t have time to soak in.

If you don’t own a baking steel or pizza stone, bake your pie on a double layer of sheet pans or in a large cast iron pan. Baking your pie in a second pan also has the added benefit of trapping any overflow of juices, so your oven doesn’t start to smoke and set off your alarms.

Overhead shot of an apple pie.
Overhead shot of a slice of apple pie on a white plate with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce.
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Apple Pie

This is the easiest apple pie recipe ever! The cinnamon-scented filling and buttery crust are scrumptious and ridiculously simple to make!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Total Cost ($6.94 recipe / $0.87 serving)
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 383kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 double pie crust* $2.34
  • 1/2 cup sugar $0.13
  • 1 tsp cinnamon $0.10
  • 3 Tbsp flour $0.02
  • 1 pinch nutmeg $0.01
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice $0.09
  • 6 cups sliced apples (6-8 apples) $3.90
  • 1 large egg, white and yolk separated $0.26
  • 1 Tbsp heavy cream $0.09

Instructions

  • Place a rack in the center of your oven, and top it with a pizza stone*. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll out your bottom and top pie crusts to 1/4 inch thickness. Refrigerate the top crust.
  • Line your pie pan with the rolled out bottom crust. Beat the egg white and brush the bottom crust lightly with it. Use a fork to puncture the bottom crust 9 to 10 times. Refrigerate the crust-lined pie pan.
  • Slice the 6 to 8 apples into 1/4 inch thick slices until you have 6 cups. Then place them in a colander and dress them with the lemon juice.
  • Place the colander in a large sauce pan. Mix the sugar, cinnamon, salt, flour, and nutmeg. Sprinkle the apples with the sugar mixture and incorporate thoroughly.
  • Allow the apples to marinate in the sugar and spices for a half hour. They will release their juices into the sauce pan.
  • After the apples have released their juices, remove the colander and the apples and place the pan with the juices over medium heat. Cook down the apple juices until a caramel forms.
  • Add the sliced apples to the pan and cook with the caramel until slightly softened, about five minutes. Let them cool for about 10 minutes.
  • Once the the apples have cooled, remove the pie pan and the top crust from the refrigerator. Add the apple slices to the crust-lined pie pan.
  • Cover the apples with the top crust. Fold the top crust under the edges of the bottom crust and pinch the crusts together. Flute the crusts. Beat the egg yolk and the cream together and brush the top crust with the egg wash.
  • Slice steam vents into the top crust. Place the pie pan on top of your pizza stone and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top crust is golden brown and the pie's juices are bubbling.
  • Cool the apple pie for at least 30 minutes before slicing, but preferably for an hour to allow the filling to solidify.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*You can purchase a premade double crust or for best results, use our easy 3-Ingredient Pie Crust, divided in two for a top and bottom crust.
*If you do not own a pizza stone, use a large cast iron pan or stack two sheet pans together.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 210mg | Fiber: 3g
Overhead shot of a slice of apple pie on a white plate with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce.

How to Make Apple Pie – Step by Step Photos

Place a rack in the center of your oven, and top it with a pizza stone*. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll out your bottom and top pie crusts to 1/4 inch thickness. Refrigerate the top crust.
Overhead shot of hand using a fork to dock pie dough.

Line your pie pan with the rolled out bottom crust. Beat the egg white and brush the bottom crust with a very thin layer. Use a fork to puncture the bottom crust 9 to 10 times. Refrigerate the crust-lined pie pan.

Overhead shot of apple in a colander.

Slice the 6 to 8 apples into 1/4 inch thick slices, until you have 6 cups. Then place them in a colander and dress the apple slices with the 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.

Overhead shot of apples macerating in a colander placed inside a pan.

Place the colander in a large sauce pan. Mix the 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon of salt, 3 tablespoons of flour, and a pinch of nutmeg. Sprinkle the apples with the sugar mixture and incorporate thoroughly. Allow the apples to marinate in the sugar and spices for a half hour. They will release their juices into the sauce pan.

Overhead shot of apple caramel.

After the apples have released their juices, remove the colander and the apples and place the pan with the juices over medium heat. Cook down the apple juices until a caramel forms.

Overhead shot of apples cooking with caramel.

Add the sliced apples to the pan and cook with the caramel until slightly softened, about five minutes. Let them cool for about 10 minutes.

Overhead shot of sliced apples in pie shell.

Once the apples have cooled, remove the pie pan and the top crust from the refrigerator. Add the apple slices to the crust-lined pie pan.

Overhead shot of brushing egg wash on a pie.

Cover the apples with the top crust. Fold the top crust under the edges of the bottom crust and pinch the crusts together. Flute the crusts. Beat the egg yolk and the cream together and brush the top crust lightly with the egg wash.

Overhead of raw pie with steam vents on it.

Slice steam vents into the top crust. Place the pie pan on top of your pizza stone and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top crust is golden brown and the apple juices are bubbling.

Overhead shot of a finished apple pie.

Cool the apple pie for at least thirty minutes before slicing, but preferably an hour to allow the filling to solidify.

Overhead shot of a slice of apple pie on a white plate with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce.

The post Apple Pie appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Blueberry Sauce

Have you heard the good news? You can get this extraordinarily yummy blueberry sauce on your table in about fifteen minutes with very minimal effort.

The post Blueberry Sauce appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Want to kick your weekend breakfast table up 1,000 notches? You can make this extraordinarily yummy blueberry sauce in about fifteen minutes with very minimal effort. And you probably have all the ingredients you need in your pantry and your freezer. Yes, freezer. We’re using budget-friendly frozen blueberries to create the most indulgent topping for All. Of. The. Things.

Overhead shot of blueberry sauce in a serving bowl with lemon zest.

What You Need

This blueberry sauce recipe uses just four ingredients: blueberries, a little sugar, some cornstarch, and a lemon. That’s it!! And the results are BEYOND. (That’s my favorite place, BEYOND. It’s where all the good stuff happens!)

Is this the same thing as blueberry syrup?

Sauces and syrups are two different things. Syrup is a sugar solution that’s usually free of solids. A sauce is any liquid you put on your food. It can often contain solids. You can use this recipe to make a delicious blueberry syrup by straining the blueberries out of the sauce. I don’t know why you’d do that, but you’re allowed to make erratic decisions. I get it. One time I married a dude in front of an Elvis impersonator. (It didn’t turn out well. #obvi)

What pairs well with blueberry sauce?

I mean, I hate to get all Shakespearean here, but how do I count the ways?? This sauce can go on EVERYTHING. I can list a baker’s dozen just off the top of my head: pancakes, waffles, French toast, buttered toast, biscuits, cornbread, banana bread, ice cream, cheesecake, pound cake, oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese; you name it!

Overhead shot of blueberry sauce in a serving bowl with spoon in it.

Can I Use This Recipe With Other Berries?

You can absolutely sub blueberries with your favorite berry. Try strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, and even pitted cherries. Choose your own adventure! (Please leave a comment if you remember that book series. I want to celebrate how old we are on a public forum.)

How To Store Blueberry Sauce

Store this sauce in your fridge in a squeaky clean airtight container. It will keep for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze blueberry sauce. Store it in an airtight container with plastic or beeswax wrap directly on the surface of the sauce. It will keep for up to 3 months. Then, thaw it out in your refrigerator overnight. I recommend freezing it in 1 cup portions, so you’re only thawing as much as you need.

Overhead shot of blueberry sauce in a serving bowl with lemon zest.
Side shot of blueberry sauce in a serving bowl with spoon in it.

Blueberry Sauce

This extraordinarily yummy blueberry sauce is so easy to make you can get it on your table in fifteen minutes with just a few ingredients. Use it on All. Of. The. Things.
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Total Cost ($4.54 recipe / $0.28 serving)
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 16 2 Tbsp each
Calories 37kcal
Author Monti – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups frozen blueberries $3.99
  • 1/2 cup sugar $0.22
  • 1 lemon $0.30
  • 1 Tbsp corn starch $0.03
  • 3/4 cup water, divided $0.00

Instructions

  • Place a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Add the blueberries, the sugar, and 1/2 cup of the water. Stir to incorporate.
  • Use a vegetable peeler to zest the lemon in long strips. Then juice the lemon. Add the zest and just 1/2 tablespoon of the juice to the pot.
  • When the mixture comes to a boil, use a separate bowl to mix the cornstarch into 1/4 cup of water, until it is completely dissolved. Add the cornstarch slurry to the blueberries and stir until incorporated.
  • Continue to stir until the syrup in the blueberry sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Take the syrup off the heat, allow to cool, and remove the strips of lemon zest. It will thicken as it cools. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tbsp | Calories: 37kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1mg | Fiber: 0.5g
Side shot of blueberry sauce in a serving bowl with spoon in it.

How to Make Blueberry Sauce – Step by Step Photos

Overhead shot of sugar and water being added to blueberries.

Place a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Add 2 cups of frozen blueberries, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup of the water. Stir to incorporate.

Overhead shot of a hand holding a lemon while a second hand zests it.

While the blueberries come to a sputtering boil, use a vegetable peeler to zest the lemon in strips. Then juice the lemon. You will use 1/2 tablespoon of juice for this recipe. Reserve the rest for a different recipe.

Overhead shot of hand holding a spoon and mashing blueberries in a pot.

It will take about 7 to 10 minutes for the blueberry mixture to come to a sputtering boil. Once that happens, use a fork to mash the blueberries against the walls of the pan.

Overhead shot of lemon and cornstarch being added to blueberry sauce.

Add the 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice and the lemon zest to the pan. Stir to incorporate. In a separate bowl, mix the tablespoon of cornstarch into the remaining 1/4 cup of water, until it is completely dissolved. Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan and stir until it is fully mixed in.

Overhead shot of blueberry sauce in a pan with finger checking sauce thickness on the back of a spoon.

Continue to stir the blueberry sauce until the syrup coats the back of a spoon. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes. When you drag your finger over the back of the spoon, it should leave a mark that the syrup does not seep back into. Take the sauce off the heat, allow it to cool. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Enjoy!

Overhead shot of blueberry sauce in a serving bowl.

The post Blueberry Sauce appeared first on Budget Bytes.