Apple Spice Tisane Food

APPLE-SPICE TISANE

Steps:

• Add the apple peels, cloves, cinnamon sticks, lemon zest, a drizzle of honey if using and 2 cups water to a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Turn off the heat, cover the saucepan and let the mixture steep for 15 minutes.
• Strain the tisane into another small saucepan and heat it back up. Taste, adding some honey and/or lemon juice if desired. Serve hot.

APPLE BUTTER SPICE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, combine dry cake mix and 11?2 packets of the cider mix. Add apple juice, 1?4 cup of the apple butter, the oil, and eggs; beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, toss walnuts and dried apples with the remaining 1?2 packet cider mix; set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, the remaining 3?4 cup apple butter, the brown sugar, and flour; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
• Remove pan from oven. Pour cream cheese mixture over partially baked cake. Sprinkle walnut and apple mixture on top. Return to oven; bake for 20 to 25 minutes more. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

FRESH APPLE SPICE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan.
• Place the pecans on a sheet pan and toast them for 5 to 10 minutes, until lightly toasted. Set aside. Combine the rum and raisins in a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for 60 seconds. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla, and orange zest on medium speed for 3 minutes. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves into a medium bowl. With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, just until combined. Drain the raisins, discarding the liquid. With a rubber spatula, fold the raisins, pecans, and apples into the batter. Spread into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool, cut into squares, and serve warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of warm caramel sauce.