INGREDIENTS

* 1/2 cup reduced fat margarine, softened
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 1 cup peeled, shredded tart apple
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon maple flavoring
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/3 cup brown sugar substitute (e.g., Splenda ®)
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixing bowl, combine margarine, sour cream, apple, eggs, maple flavoring and vanilla. Combine flour, sweetener, baking soda and baking powder; add to apple mixture and mix well. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 375 degrees F for 9-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. Store in airtight container.

INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup margarine
* 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 cup chopped raisins
* 1 cup chopped walnuts
* 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
* 1 cup apricot spreadable fruit

DIRECTIONS

1. Cream together the margarine and cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer. Blend in the vanilla. Mix in the flour. Chill the dough.
2. To make the Filling: Mix together the chopped raisins, chopped walnuts, and cinnamon. If you have a food processor, place the whole walnuts and raisins into the bowl, sprinkle with the cinnamon, and chop them together by processing in short pulses.
3. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll out each portion into a 10 - 12 inch circle 1/8 inch thick on a lightly floured board or between two sheets of waxed paper.
4. Spread a light layer of preserves (approximately 2 tablespoons) onto each dough circle. Sprinkle each circle with approximately 1/4 cup of the chopped nut-raisin-cinnamon mixture.
5. Cut each circle into 16 wedges using a pastry cutter or a pizza cutter. Roll each wedge from base to point. Place point down on a lightly greased or parchment lined baking sheets.
6. Bake for 15-17 minutes at 375 degrees F (or until golden). Remove to racks to cool.

INGREDIENTS

* 2 eggs
* 1 1/2 cups milk
* 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups vegetable oil
* 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the eggs and the milk. Add flour mixture to the egg mixture, and beat with a mixer until smooth. The consistancy should be thin enough to run through a small kitchen funnel. Test it, and if it is too thick beat in a little more milk; if too thin, beat in a bit more flour.
3. In an eight inch skillet, heat the oil to 360 degrees F (182 degrees C).
4. Put your finger over the bottom opening of the funnel, and fill the funnel with a generous 1/2 cup of the batter. Hold the funnel close to the surface of the oil, and release the batter into the oil while making a circular motion. Fry until golden brown. Use tongs and wide spatula to turn the cake over carefully. Fry the second side one minute. Drain on paper towels, and sprinkle with sifted confectioners’ sugar.