Cherry Pie Bites - A New Thanksgiving Tradition

This recipe comes to you courtesy of Deanna Otranto and Brenda Lubragge, otherwise known as team 2 Hangry Moms. They are moms, foodies and nutrition buffs navigating the wild world of parenthood one hangry step at a time. Follow their adorable Instagram account (@2hangrymoms) for awesome weekly product giveaways, recipes, and general kiddie cuteness. And stop by their blog (www.twohangrymoms.com) for delicious, kid-friendly recipes, uncensored accounts of pregnancy and mommy-hood, stories of hope from moms who've struggled, and reviews and giveaways of all the latest baby/kid/parent products!

Thanksgiving is a holiday steeped in tradition. And if your family is anything like ours, so many of those traditions center around food. It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without
a turkey (or, in our case, tofurkey!) and mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, right?

But if you’re looking to shake up your spread and bring something totally new to the table (literally!), we recommend you try these delicious Cherry Pie Bites with Crunchy Granola Crumble.

They’re sweet little finger foods that make great appetizers or desserts. Featuring a sweet homemade cherry filling encased in a crunchy wonton cup and topped with your
favorite granola, these juicy gems are a definite crowd pleaser that look much more complicated to make than they actually are. They’re so easy, in fact, the little ones can
help with the prep.

The cherry on top? They’re actually pretty healthy, which means you don’t have to worry about any post-holiday remorse after indulging. And you won’t feel guilty about loading the bite-sized leftovers into your kiddies’ lunch boxes either. They get their natural sweetness from cherries, which are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, and their jelly-like texture thanks to chia seeds, which dish out healthy fats and fiber. And, if you choose to include the optional cream cheese layer, you’ll even sneak in some calcium and vitamin D, too.

Whip up a big batch for your holiday festivities, then pop the extras in your little ones’ Bentgo boxes for a sweet lunchtime treat when they head back to school.

Ingredients:
1 mini muffin tin
Non-stick cooking spray
2 cups frozen cherries
1/2 cup reduced fat cream cheese
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
2 Tbsp. chia seeds
16 to 20 wonton wrappers
1 cup of your favorite sweet granola (if you’re really feeling adventurous, try making
your own - we’ve included our all-time favorite granola recipe below).
Directions:

1. In a small pot on medium heat, combine cherries and maple syrup. As mixture warms, use the back of a spoon to smash the berries.

2. Once the mixture achieves a low boil, reduce to low heat and pour in chia seeds. Stir till chia seeds are evenly distributed throughout.

3. Once the mixture becomes thick and jam-like in consistency (about 10-15 minutes), turn off heat and remove from stove top. Set aside.

4. Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray then place wonton wrappers in the muffin tin, folding to form cups.

5. If using, divide cream cheese across muffin cups then top with jam. If omitting cream cheese, just divide jam. Then top each cup with one tablespoon of granola.

6. Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes or until the wontons are crisp and golden brown.

To reheat, place in oven at 325 degrees for 3 - 5 minutes.

We mentioned above that if you have the time, you should consider making your own granola for your Cherry Pie Bites topping. We’re sharing our favorite homemade granola
recipe below. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory, and it’s packed with healthy ingredients like nuts and seeds. It’s the perfect topping for your Cherry Pie Bites, and extras make great additions to yogurt, oatmeal, and cottage cheese.

Enjoy!

Sweet & Savory Homemade Granola

Ingredients:
Dry:
2.5 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
2 Tbsp. ground flax or chia seeds
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Sprinkle of salt
Wet:
4 Tbsp. brown rice syrup
1 Tbsp. agave nectar
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
2 Tbsp. applesauce
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300F. Add wet ingredients to pot - medium heat. Stir well. Bring to boil then simmer on low for 5-10 mins. Stir frequently.

2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Add wet mixture straight from the stove to dry mixture. Stir until well blended.

3. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and bake for 45 minutes. Toss mixture every 15 mins for even baking.

Cool for 20 mins before serving (it will get harder as it cools).

For more kid-friendly recipes like these, visit twohangrymoms.com.

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