Apples

Michelle Obama's first cookbook American Grown will be released on May 29, and we're cooking up some of Michelle's tried-and-true recipes like this apple cobbler, a favorite of President Obama.

The First Lady has a unique, slow method of preparing this cobbler. She marinates the apples in their spicy, sugary juices overnight, then slow cooks the cobbler at a low temperature to gradually break down the apples and crisp up the crust. The end result is absolutely heavenly: the cinnamon and nutmeg are perfectly balanced; the slow marination and long cook-time create a complex, caramel flavor; the apples dissolve upon bite, and the crust is as crispy as promised.

I used the lesser amount of sugar, and opted for a crisscross pattern on the top of the cobbler rather than covering the entire baking dish. Despite the 12 or more hours it requires to make this cobbler, it is a cherished, special occasion treat to be enjoyed during family gatherings or neighborhood barbecues.

Make the recipe here.

Craving something crunchy and nutty but don't want all the calories and fat that come along with straight-up peanut butter? Here's a sweet low-cal alternative that's also high in protein (over eight grams per serving!).

This filling and fun-looking snack is great for a postworkout treat and is even sweet enough to satisfy your dessert cravings.

It's only 150 calories, so keep reading to see this simple snack recipe.

Eating an apple a day may not prevent you from ever having to see your doc, but they are full of nutritional goodness: one medium apple is 95 calories with 4.4 grams of fiber and 195 milligrams of potassium. The high fiber content keeps you full, which helps prevent weight gain, and also keeps you regular, which results in a healthier body. Crunching on an apple is good for your smile because the fruit acts like a toothbrush, cleaning your teeth as you chew.

Another bonus is that apples are supersweet, so they're a healthier way to satisfy your sugar cravings. Here are 10 delicious, good-for-you snack ideas, all made with the goodness of apples.

1. Shredded apple mixed into plain yogurt
2. Warm apple toast made with whole-wheat bread, peanut butter, and sliced apples
3. Apple slices drizzled with honey and sprinkled with sliced almonds
4. Applesauce mixed in cottage cheese and sprinkled with Craisins
5. Baked apple filled with raisins, walnuts, and a little maple syrup
6. Diced apples sprinkled with cinnamon and warmed in the microwave
7. Apple, peanut butter, and pumpkin stacks
8. A piece of homemade apple cinnamon cake
9. Slices of apple paired with slices of Cheddar cheese
10. Apple chips made with apples, cinnamon, and sugar (using this recipe)

We love any opportunity to taste test new and exciting products, and trying a new kind of apple was particularly exciting. The Junami apple comes from Switzerland originally and its standout characteristic is its juice. The apple is large, round, and brightly colored — definitely something you can't wait to sink your teeth into. Find out what we thought of the Junami apple when you keep reading.

Bacon doesn't do anything wrong — and that certain truth applies to everything, including the blank canvas of bread. Here, Monica Bennett shows how, when combined, bacon, apples, and sage make for a killer sweet-salty bread pudding.

For the recipe, check out her blog — and share your latest culinary creations with us in the YumSugar Community.

Fresh green juice might be the "next frozen yogurt" in terms of a trendy, healthy snack. What could possibly be better for you than a glass of homemade, fresh-pressed vegetables and fruits? This is a super easy, delicious, and addictive green juice recipe that you can happily indulge in to rake up your daily values. Apples are high in vitamin C and naturally sweeten the beverage. Antioxidant-rich spinach and parsley are also high in vitamin A and C and iron. Cucumber and lemon add flavor and immune-boosting phytonutrients. Warming and spicy ginger aids digestion.

See juice recipe.

FitSugar reader AllieNic gives apple crisp a healthy makeover by making it grain- and dairy-free. She shared the recipe in our Healthy Recipe community group.

I love apples; they're beautiful and delicious! A few weeks ago, I took a trip up to Vermont to visit family — we went apple picking, so I whipped up some apple crisp (apple crumble). I remember loving the apple crisp we used to get with elementary school lunches, but this recipe is decidedly more healthy: grain-free and dairy-free!

Learn more about this recipe after the break!

Eating 75 grams of dried apples each day may reduce your cholesterol levels. A recent study at Florida State University examined 160 women who were randomly assigned to two groups: those who ate dried apples for a year, and those who received dried prunes for the same time frame. The participants who were put in the apple group experienced a drop in their total cholesterol by 14 percent and their LDL cholesterol by 23 percent. Their levels of C-reactive protein, a substance in blood that is a marker for inflammation and increased risk of heart disease, also decreased.

Keep reading to find out what else was discovered in the study.

When it comes to peanut butter sandwiches, my son isn't big on bread. He prefers the sweet treat served up on a peeled apple that has been cored and halved. I smear some of the creamy spread between and then top with the other half. A fiber and protein packed combo, it's a portable dish that is fit for any time of day. We recently tested the apple idea out on another kiddie staple — grilled cheese. Just take the fruit halves and top them with your kiddo's favorite sliced or shredded cheese and then pop them in a hot oven to melt the protein. Served open-faced or as a sandwich, this simple recipe is a savory winner.