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by Amanda Formaro of FamilyCorner.com

Apples are a wonderful source of vitamins, they're sweet and delicious, and there are so many recipes that you and your kids can make from them! Here are a few variations to choose from, all are fun for children and easy enough to do with help from a grown up.

Apple Oatmeal Bars

1 cup oatmeal
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 1/2 cups apples, chopped OR 3/4 cup apple butter (omit cinnamon)
1/2 cup sugar
Combine the first five ingredients, and pat half into an 8x8 inch pan. Layer apples and sugar. Crumble remaining mixture on top. Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Apple Ring Snacks

Peel an apple and remove the core. Slice into rings. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet, or on wax paper laid out on a cookie sheet. Dry in an electric oven at low or warm temperatures. In a gas oven the pilot light is sufficient. Drying takes 6-9 hours, making this a good overnight project. The size of the apple slices and your oven temperature are the variables you will have to experiment with. The apples need not be dried to a crisp. Store in an airtight container. These should last several weeks at room temperature. Good for traveling!

Apple Smiles

4 or 5 medium red or green apples, cut into wedges
peanut butter
10 oz bag miniature marshmallows

Spread peanut butter onto one side of each apple wedge. Using miniature marshmallows, position the "teeth" in place onto one of the apple wedges. Top with other apple wedge so that the peanut butter acts as a cement for the marshmallow dentures.

Fried Apples

3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
4 large apples, cored and sliced (tart apples work best)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Cut apples into 1/4 inch slices. Heat butter in a large skillet. Put the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon in the skillet and cover. Over medium-low heat, cook apple slices 7-10 minutes or until they begin to soften and the syrup thickens. Top with excess syrup.

Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine at http://familycorner.com where you will find recipes, crafts, family activities, parenting advice, home & garden, and plenty more.