At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

Canned Apricots 3 Ways & Slow Cooker Giveaway!

I am obsessed with Fall.

It’s my “most wonderful time of the year“. I love the colors, the smell of leaves burning, my favorite mulled cider candle and frankly, I look better in Fall clothing. 😉

But (and I can’t believe I’m going to utter these words), there are some things I don’t like about this season.

I feel like a Fall traitor.

Canned-apricots-3-ways from atthepicketfence.com

You see, I don’t like that suddenly all of the glorious fresh fruit we’ve enjoyed all summer long has disappeared. And between buying back-to-school clothes and gearing up for the holidays, I REALLY don’t like how much money seems to ‘fall’ (like how I did that there 😉 ) out of my wallet just as the leaves are falling to the ground.

So, when Libby’s Fruits and Vegetables asked me to partner with them in their pursuit of helping families solve their Dinner Dilemmas and Get Back to the Table I jumped at the chance! It’s hard coming up with healthy meals every night, isn’t it? I know I struggle with this! And not only do I want my family eating healthy meals, I don’t want to pass out from shock at the cash register when I see the total for my grocery bill!

 

 Libbys_f&v

So, today I’m excited to share with you 3 fun, new ways to use canned fruit. These recipes are easy to make and easy on the budget. And they didn’t last long in my house!

Look at the color of those canned apricots? Seriously this was the most “fresh” canned fruit I’ve ever used! And the best part is that there is no added sugar. Yep. NO SUGAR! Just all natural goodness.

LIbby's canned apricots

We are a bread lovin’ family so using the canned apricots to make Apricot Bread seemed like a no-brainer. And this is now our new favorite! We may or may not have finished almost an entire loaf in 2 days.

Picture all of us with our heads hanging in shame. 😉

Apricot bread and apricot ginger jam from atthepicketfence.com

Can I just tell you that this is the best smelling photo shoot I’ve ever had?  I mean, don’t you wish you had smell-a-vision…or…err…smell-a-monitor right now?

Print
Apricot Bread

Apricot Bread

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 cups white sugar 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsps. vanilla extract 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 cup vegetable oil 3 tsps. ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups canned apricots, drained 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour two (8x4 inch) loaf pans.
  • In a large bowl, beat the eggs lightly. Blend in the sugar, oil, and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix until just combined. Stir in the apricots.
  • Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake for 1 hour or until knife inserted in middle comes out clean.
https://www.atthepicketfence.com/apricot-bread-and-freezer-jam/

Now, I have a confession. I’ve never made jam before. EVER. I know, I know, how on earth did I get to be almost 40 and have never made jam? Especially considering how much I love it! It’s just always seemed so intimidating to me. And complicated. And messy. And exhausting!

So I decided that for my first time I would go the “freezer jam” route.

Apricot ginger freezer jam from atthepicketfence.com

And let me tell you people, if it’s wrong to want to spread Apricot Ginger Freezer Jam on everything then I don’t want to be right!

 

Print
Apricot Ginger Freezer Jam

Apricot Ginger Freezer Jam

Ingredients

  • 3 cans apricots (drained and rinsed very well)
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 3 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 pkg. fruit pectin (specified for freezer jam)
  • 2 tsp. ground ginger

Instructions

  • Place drained and rinsed apricots in a large bowl. Using potato masher, crush fruit being sure to leave it slightly chunky. Add lemon juice to fruit in bowl. Gradually stir 1 box pectin into fruit. Mix thoroughly. Set aside for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to completely dissolve pectin. Pour 1 cup light corn syrup into fruit mixture. Mix well. Stir in sugar gradually until it is completely dissolved and no longer grainy. Stir in ground ginger. Pour into prepared containers leaving a 1/2 inch space at top for expansion during freezing. Cover. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours until set. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks or store in freezer for up to 1 year.
https://www.atthepicketfence.com/apricot-bread-and-freezer-jam/

Of course, when you are already so in love with all things apricot, you just have to take it to the next level, right?

And we all know that everything’s better in a mason jar!

So, here’s my Apricot Trifle in a Mason Jar. I am all about having things be multi-functional and this dessert fit that bill. Layers of cubed apricot bread and whipped cream are topped with a dab of warm apricot jam.

Decadent? Yes. Affordable? Yes. Easy? Yes.

Gone in 30 seconds flat? YES!

apricot trifle dessert in a mason jar from atthepicketfence.com

 There you have it my friends! Canned Apricots 3 ways!

apricot bread and jam2

Canned-apricots-3-ways from atthepicketfence.com

Now, how about we give you a chance to win a fantastic prize?!

The winner of this giveaway will receive this beautiful KitchenAid Slow Cooker with Glass Lid and 24 hour programming PLUS an assortment of Libby’s Fruits and Vegetables products! 
slowcooker

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit Libby’s for more recipes, tips and ideas to help your family Get Back to the Table AND to enter the Libby’s Solves Your #DinnerDilemma $300 Pinterest Sweepstakes!

Libbys_DInnerDilemma_FB_v4

 

Good luck and happy meal planning from my apricot-obsessed family to yours!

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B*Disclosure: I received compensation in exchange for services rendered on behalf of Libby’s Fruits and Vegetables*

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. I am going to try this bread and the jam possibly. I just made strawberry freezer jam and it is delicious. The slow cooker looks beautiful! Thanks so much!

    Reply

  6. Thank you for providing such delicious recipes! I especially liked your suggestion for combining them in the trifle. You have made me re-think the versatility of canned fruit.

    Reply

  18. I was just telling my husband last night that we need a new crockpot, ours is literally 25 years old!

    Reply

  46. Recipes look delicious. Can’t wait to try . Slow cooker is a woman’s best friend when it comes to preparing meals for your family and wanting to spend extra time with your family and not in the kitchen. Hope I win. I would love to have this!

    Reply

  52. I have been wanting a slow cooker forever,now here is my chance to win one. Slow cookers are a time saver when it comes to daily meals.There are days when I just don’t feel up to cooking,instead I can make a one pot meal in my slow cooker.

    Reply

  55. I had so many apricots on my tree this summer. Now I have an idea other than jam for some of the ones still in the freezer! Thanks! That crockpot looks like a nice one.

    Reply

    • Ack! Nancy you are so right!! I forgot to put that in the recipe and I’m so glad you noticed it! If I could give you a prize for that I would. 🙂 Yes, I added 1 tsp. of ginger and it really enhanced the flavor of the apricots. Thank you soooo much for noticing the error!
      Vanessa

      Reply

  59. awww. I’m so sad. I looked for these at three different grocery stores last night and they don’t carry this brand. 🙁 We only had the syrup sugar filled ones. boo.

    Reply

  68. I’m with you… Fall is my favorite season but for the fresh fruits and vegies coming to an end. I’d love to win this slow cooker as I have a very basic one that I use all the time and now I know I need to upgrade to something as beautiful as this – the glass lid and timer have me green with envy!

    Reply

  72. Wow, would LOVE to win this crockpot! Ours just broke and as a military family that homeschools with four kiddos I use ours often! Would love to replace ours but can’t adored it right now 🙁
    Thank you for this wonderful opportunity! Blessings xx
    -Ashley

    Reply

  73. The apricot trifle looks and sounds absolutely divine! One thing missing from my kitchen is a slow cooker. This is such a fun giveaway and I would love to win!

    Reply

  76. Love love love the fall & can’t wait for this beautiful season. Looks like an awesome crockpot-thanks for the giveaway! My son will love all the apricot recipes 🙂

    Reply

  77. Oooh, my family loves apricots, I’m so glad you posted this! And then you throw in a slowcooker give-away! Hot damn, y’all rock!

    Reply

  81. What a perfect time for a Libby’s Slow Cooker Giveaway! It’s that time of year to fill the house with the smells of stews, soups and all the comfort foods of fall and winter. 🙂

    Reply

  94. -Spices and natural enhancers (garlic, onions, peppers, cloves and etc.
    That those those who uses this specific diet detects it a challenging activity while seeking
    for Paleo diet recipes which gives all of them a downside
    to following by means of. Cabbage Soup Diet *Good for Losing Weight
    Before a Big Event*.

    Reply

  99. Love the apricot recipes. Takes me back to growing up with apricot trees in the back yard. The crock pot looks great – would love to have it.

    Reply

  101. The slow cooker would be perfect for our daughter’s family of 7! I haven’t eaten apricots in a long time… Looks yummy.

    Reply

  104. I never would have thought of using canned fruit to make jam! My grandmother always used fresh fruits in season for jellies and jams. I just might have to try these recipes! And what a great giveaway! 😀

    Reply

  105. I will definitely be trying the apricot bread. Sounds and looks delicious! I love everything Kitchen-Aid. This looks amazing!

    Reply

  106. Wow! What a great giveaway!!! My slow cooker is giving out and I have been shopping for a new one for months! I can’t find one with all the features I want in the name brands I prefer. I didn’t even know Kitchaid made one! I realllllly would live to win this to go with all my other Kitchenaid appliances!!! Thank you so much for the chane to win it….. 🙂

    Reply

  111. I would love to win the slow cooker. I broke my crock pot a couple of months ago and the small one that i am using is just not big enough for my crew.

    Reply

  117. I love fall comfort foods and being a busy mama and workaholic, the crock pot is KEY! mine is on it’s way out… 12 yrs ago received as bridal shower gift, love it but not the best of perfect size, this would be amazing!

    Reply

  121. I adore apricots, but fresh apricots aren’t readily available or affordable here in Maine. Fortunately, canned and dried apricots are delicious. I’ve got your apricot bread recipe marked to try–thanks!

    Reply

  123. I’d love to win this slow cooker for my husband. He’s the cook of the house and he’d make so many delicious things in it. Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply

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