Baking an Apple Cranberry Bake

A great activity during the cold winter months is baking. It involves many steps and all types of skills, so that means a lot of different people can do an activity together. The smell of a delicious pie or cake cooking in the oven makes the house cozy and warm. You may even forget it’s cold out!

The consumers at our Benton residence wanted to get together to make a dessert. After reading the newspaper it was noticed that a local church was sponsoring their Annual Cranberry Festival. It was a good opportunity to purchase some fresh cranberries and do a little shopping. The consumers purchased cranberries and picked up some free recipes that were available at the festival. The recipe below was selected and will become a part of the residence's recipe collection. We hope you will invite some friends and family members to try the recipe with you.

Before beginning this project, read through the entire activity. Make sure you have all necessary supplies and ingredients before starting the project. Remember kitchen safety always comes first. If you are uncertain about using a knife or kitchen appliance such as a food processor or a stove, ask someone to assist you. Ask a family member or friend to bake with you. It is always safer and you can have a wonderful time together.

Step 1 - After reviewing the supplies/ingredients list make a list of items you need to go shopping for. Most of the supplies you probably already have in the kitchen. You may have to go for a few ingredients at the local supermarket. Review the list with the person you are baking with. Decide how much money you will need before leaving. Take your time in the store so you will remember to purchase all the items needed.

Step 2 - Upon arriving home unpack your groceries. If you are not baking until later put all items in a section of the kitchen that will be out of your way. Remember to put the items needed into your refrigerator such as the margarine. Decide when you would like to start baking. This dish is served warm and takes about 1 hour to bake. A good time to prepare it is about two hours before you would like to serve it.

Step 3 - Time to bake. Always wash your hands before cooking or baking. Also if you are cooking for a large group of people it may be helpful to wear food preparer’s gloves. First you need to gather all supplies and ingredients together in one area (such as the kitchen table). The apples need to be peeled first. Ask for assistance using the knife if you do not feel comfortable. Once the apples are peeled they need to be chopped. The apples may be chopped in a food processor or blender if you prefer. Once completed set the apples aside. The pecans also need to be chopped, or you may purchase them already chopped if you prefer. The recipe calls for melted margarine. This can be done in a microwave or on the stovetop. Once you have completed these steps your ingredients are ready for mixing into the recipe. This is also a good time to pre-heat your oven. The temperature for this recipe is 350 degrees.

Step 4 - Place the apples and cranberries in the 2-quart casserole dish. Measure 1 1/4 cups sugar with your measuring cup. Place the sugar in the casserole dish with the apples and cranberries. Mix with the large spoon. Set aside. The remaining ingredients will be placed in the large mixing bowl. You will have to measure 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 cups oats, 1/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup chopped pecans and 1/2 cup melted margarine. Place all these ingredients in the large mixing bowl and stir. Once stirred place the ingredients from the mixing bowl over the apple mixture in the casserole dish as evenly as possible.

Step 5 -Using the potholders open the oven. Use caution at all times around the oven to avoid accidentally burning yourself. Place the casserole dish in the oven. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. After 1 hour remove the casserole dish from the oven (remember to wear your potholders). Place the casserole dish on a surface that will not burn. You may want to place a trivet on your countertop.

Step 6 - Serve the apple-cranberry bake warm, or add vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. Enjoy!