Admittedly, I'm not that great of a baker. I love to try my hand at different baking recipes, though- and I love, love desserts. It can be sort of difficult for me to curb that sweet tooth, so I try to have a few naturally sweet things in my house to turn to, when I am craving a sweet snack. I have also been making a bit of an effort to be healthier. My sweet tooth is usually my downfall. Thankfully, Musselman's Applesauce was about to come to my rescue, with a wonderful alternative ingredient to swap out for many others... you guessed it- applesauce!
If you're not already familiar with Musselman's, here's a little background information: Musselman’s was founded in Biglerville, PA, in 1907 by Christian and Emma Musselman. They have been making their delicious applesauce for over 100 years! The Musselman's focused on using local fruits, and eventually they added canning cherries to their famous apple butter. It wasn't long before Musselman's was the leading brand of apple sauce in American grocery stores and won over generations of families with their “Quality You Can Taste.” Today, the grower-owned cooperative provides a livelihood for nearly 600 farming families, and their products are available nation-wide.
I was excited to connect with Musselman's this fall season. I was already a Musselman's fan, their applesauce being my favorite! I am a huge applesauce lover, and still have fond memories of pork and applesauce meals, or applesauce snacks over the years.
Musselman's kindly sent me this wonderful gift pack, which included a pack of Musselman's Big Cup Applesauce, and a large jar of their Unsweetened Applesauce.
Musselman's sent me not only some yummy applesauce products, but issued me a challenge- to make the swap to using applesauce. Now, I love applesauce, but the thought of swapping out an everyday ingredient for applesauce instead would be interesting, for sure. My hubby is not a fan of applesauce, and neither is my son, so I would have to be sort of sneaky about it, to see if they even noticed a difference.
I used a handy conversion/Swap Chart from Musselman's
The easiest thing to do, seemed to be swapping out oil with applesauce when making brownies from a boxed mix. I had already planned on making brownies, and we did have a box of brownies in the pantry. So, I followed the directions for baking the brownies, as usual, making one slight change. I used 1/4 cup of the Musselman's Unsweetened Applesauce instead of oil when mixing the brownie batter. I poured the batter into an 8x8 baking dish, and baked as usual.
The brownies came out looking moist and delicious, as they usually do. Once the brownies had cooled, I presented them to my family, who ate them up, and were none the wiser. They had no idea that I skipped the oil, and used applesauce in its place!
Using the applesauce instead of oil (you can also swap for butter) cuts fat, and gives great moisture and flavor to many of your favorite recipes.
Follow these quick tips for making the applesauce swap in your recipes:
When substituting apple sauce for oil in baking, it is a 1:1 ratio. 1/4 cup apple sauce for 1/4 cup oil (except for cookies).
Some brands of boxed mix provide alternative directions for oil instead of butter. For a better result, use the oil recipe when substituting apple sauce.
Substituting apple sauce for butter/margarine can often change the consistency.
To cut and serve reduced fat baked goods and prevent crumbling, let cool 10-15 minutes, then cut using a plastic knife.
I love being able to swap butter or oil for applesauce, and I keep that handy little conversion chart nearby in my kitchen. It reminds me that I do have a choice, and I can be the one to make small changes to promote a healthier lifestyle for my family.
The Musselman's Big Cup Applesauce is great for a snack, or as a side to a meal!
I have also been loving having some of the Musselman's Big Cup Applesauce packs on hand. Even if my boys don't care for them, I am finding that they are wonderful for me to have alongside my lunch (peanut butter cranberry wrap). Instead of reaching for a handful of chips or crackers, I just reach for a Mussleman's applesauce cup, which is delicious, healthy and filling!
From now on, I plan on using Musselman's Applesauce as a main ingredient in many dishes- in both cooking, and baking. I can't wait to make a yummy apple spice cake, and I am planning on making mini apple pies this week, as well. In cooking, I have roasted pork on the menu for this week, and will spread some of the applesauce over the pork roast before it goes into the oven, to give it a yummy seasonal flavor that will cook right into the meat!
Ready to make the swap?
Head on over to Musselman's for more info on their wonderful company and products! You'll find everything from recipes to product info for their delicious applesauce, apple butter, pie fillings, and more! You can connect with Musselman's on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more recipe inspiration!
Want It? Win It!
One lucky MBP reader will win their very own Musselman's Prize Pack, containing a pack of the Musselman's BIG CUP Applesauce, as well as Musselman's recipe cards! Giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older. No PO Boxes, please. Just use the handy RC giveaway entry form below to enter for your chance to win!
Special thanks to Musselman's Applesauce for sending us some delicious Musselman's applesauce to try and swap for everyday ingredients. I doubt I'll ever go back to baking the old way again! Also, we thank Musselman's for offering this sweet giveaway for our awesome readers!
Good luck!
I like applesauce with granola.
ReplyDeleteI would use it in a cake.
ReplyDeleteApple butter is one of my favorite apple flavored foods!
ReplyDeletewe actually eat it daily!!
ReplyDeleteI would use applesauce when making pancakes. It is a healthy change and they come out very fluffy.
ReplyDeleteI like to eat apples in my oatmeal with cinnamon and I also love to eat apples with peanut butter and fluff and nutella :D
ReplyDeleteI'd make apple bread with walnuts.
ReplyDeleteI would use it to make banana bread. So much healthier!
ReplyDeleteI love spiced apple cider and Dutch apple pie!
ReplyDeleteI love spiced apple cider and Dutch apple pie!
ReplyDeleteI'd use it to make brownies.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I use it in place of vegetable oil when baking breads.
ReplyDeleteI would use it to make apple cake.
ReplyDelete(Rafflecopter name is Kimberly).