Apple Tasting- Free Printable

How does your family feel when you revisit subjects? When we return to subjects, it feels like we’re visiting an “old friend”. There is familiarity but also excitement for adding to what we already know. This is our 3rd time cycling through apples, but each time we cycle we add something to deepen & enrich our learning experience. This year we’re adding in apple picture studies, apple poetry, copy work, & folk songs. (Click here if you want to see how we've studied apples in the past). I also thought that it would be fun to do an apple taste-off. 

My husband has often said that I am good at celebrating even then small things, and I think this was one of those moments. I tried to make a hot summer day fun with an apple taste-off. It costs us about a dollar an apple, then I made & printed these apple score cards (Free for you here). We had a really fun time tasting all of these apples and then rating our favorites. Then, of course, we dipped them in caramel & chocolate chips. If you want to try this with us and rate your favorite apples, I added the score card I made free for you here. Please let me know what type of apple is your family's favorite! Apparently, we are all about the Honey Crisp apple in our home!

The Best Brownies (I promise you won't be disappointed)

I have NEVER been good at making brownies. My mother-in-law, on the other hand, is a rock star brownie maker. I have tried her recipe numerous times & always failed. I was craving a delicious homemade brownie 3 weeks ago, and decided I would try my hand at them again. I have made this so many times now to perfect the recipe, & I think this is it. These brownies are as perfect as I can get them, not too fudgy and not to cakey, something in the middle with a delicious frosting. What gets me is that these really are so easy to make. I wish I had committed to working on this recipe years ago. Think of all the brownies I've missed! So come on, try these brownies!

Ingredients:

Brownies:

1 cup softened butter

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

walnuts (optional)

Frosting:

6 tbs melted butter

6 tbs unsweetened cocoa

1 tbs honey

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups confectioner sugar

3 tbs room temperature water    

ice cream a la mode (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease & flour a 9 x 13 pan.

2. To make brownies, mix all wet ingredients together in a bowl with a fork, then add the dry ingredients. You want to mix until just incorporated but not too much. Evenly spread the batter into the greased pan. If you are going to add nuts, you can sprinkle them on top right before putting the pan in the oven.

3. Bake for 25-27 minutes.

4. While the brownies are in the oven, mix all of the frosting ingredients together. If the frosting is too stiff, add water. It should have a very smooth texture. Pour the frosting over the brownies while they are still warm.

5. Enjoy!