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.
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!
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.
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. 😉
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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
There you have it my friends! Canned Apricots 3 ways!
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!
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!
Good luck and happy meal planning from my apricot-obsessed family to yours!
*Disclosure: I received compensation in exchange for services rendered on behalf of Libby’s Fruits and Vegetables*
Wow! That apricot bread looks amazing!
My mom wants a slow cooker so bad. Thank you for the giveaway!
Fall and winter are my favorite times to use a slow cooker. This one looks fabulous! Thanks for the chance to win.
I am definitely ready for Fall with this Apricot bread recipe. It looks delicious! Great giveaway.
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!
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.
Canned apricots – 3 ways, what more can we ask for.. thanks for the giveaway.
I think I’m gonna have to try that bread recipe!
Love the bread recipe with the apricots! Can’t wait to try!
Fall and winter are my most favorite times to use a slow cooker. Thanks for the chance to win!!!
I haven’t had apricot bread or jam in such a long time…sigh. Lovely giveaway!
That is an awesome giveaway! This recipe looks delicious, perfect for fall 😉
I love the chance to win a new crockpot, mine cooks everything to hot even on low. Thanks
This looks awesome, I need smell o vision in my life
I love apricots and never thought about using them in jam! I’m trying this tomorrow. Just after Taylor finishes being sick for the first day of school 🙁
My mouth is watering. I’m putting this on my to-do list this week. Thanks for the ideas. Love your blog!!
Oh these recipes look AMAZING! My family loves apricots. We are also big slow cooker fans as well! Thanks for the giveaway! 😉
I was just telling my husband last night that we need a new crockpot, ours is literally 25 years old!
Had all kinds of fruited breads, but never apricot. Can’t wait to try it.
Yummy! We love apricots.
I would Love to cook my Family a Delectable Beef Stew in that baby, I want it!!!!!
Love the apricot recipes, can’t wait to try them.
All of your apricot recipes look so yummy! Sometimes it’s tricky finding fruit canned without sugar; I’m glad Libby offers it.
This would be great since my slow cooker broke on me last year!
I need more apricots in my life. 🙂
Slow cooker would be very handy for fall and winter.
Thanks so much for sharing these delicious recipes!!!
i love apricot jam so that is getting pinned!
Would love that crockpot!!! Apricots are yum.
Reminds me of my Mama’s cooking! Love meals from the slow cooker!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Apricots. I remember my Strawberry Shortcake Doll, Apricot. I would Smell and Smell her all day!! All of these look and sound so Yummy! What an awesome Giveaway!
xoxo
A crock-pot?! Perfect give-away for our first day of school. This blog is rad.
Yum!!! Love these great recipe ideas 🙂 I’d love to win that slow cooker!
Wow thanks for the great giveaway and the wonderful recipes, they look amazing can’t wait to try them
All of those things sound delicious – especially the bread.
Judy
All 3 of those apricot recipes look absolutely delicious! Would love to add that slow cooker to my kitchen 🙂
I love apricot jam. Thank you for the giveaway!
That is a fancy slow cooker! I would love to win it! Thanks so much for the chance.
Looks like a great slow cooker!!!
I love apricot in anything. All the recipes sound delicious, can’t wait to try them. Thanks for the giveaway.
Apricots smell like sunshine! The jam looks amazing. And thank you for the giveaway.
What an awesome giveaway! That jam does look yummy!
Mmmmm…it all looks tasty. And who doesn’t love a slow cooker, thanks for the chance!!! Blessings, Debbie
Love your photos and wish I could reach through my screen and grab a bite 🙂 Fingers crossed I win!
The bread sounds wonderful! Thanks for the chance!
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!
wow, so many yummy ways to use apricots. I am thinking of making some of them.
Can’t wait to try these recipes out for myself. Yum yum. Thanks for sharing.
im gonna try all these recipes, i love apricots
I love apricots and all of the recipes look so yummy
I love apricots and those recipes look so yummy. Thanks for the chance
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.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
yummy! that apricot bread and jam look delicious, Vanessa! And paired together for the individual triffle… wow. 🙂
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.
Did I miss something? Where is the ginger for the jam???
Can’t wait to try the bread!
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
Oh my! Theses recipes look yummy! I love apricots!
xo
jeanne
Yuuuumm!
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.
That freezer jam looks amazing!
Apricots, yum!
We so desperately need a new crockpot! What a fun giveaway. Thanks!
Oh thank you for hosting this giveaway! The thought of a crockpot that is coming apart at the seams makes me giddy!
Save some for our visit next week! Looks yummy! Mom
Apricots are a forgotten fruit to many. We love them! I am dying over your apricot trifle though- YUM.
Those recipes ALL look so good!!
I would probably make french toast in the slow cooker
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!
I would love a slow cooker!
Love, love, love apricots!!! And would also love to win a crockpot! Thanks!!
awesome would love to win it
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
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!
I WOULD love a programable crock pot…I didn’t even know they made one…I say about twice a week, if only I could program this thing!
Oh I love slow cooker recipes for sure! And I’d totally love some of that apricot bread! YUM!!
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 🙂
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!
Love apricots! I have never had apricot bread so I will be trying this out for sure this weekend! Thanks!!
I would love to win this!
After we finish eat the pumpkin bread I made today we need to try that apricot bread
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. 🙂
Love fall and love trying new recipes in the slow cooker!
Great giveaway and so perfect for fall!
This looks like an amazing new slow cooker!
I would love another slow cooker. One is never enough at holiday parties.
Love the recipes on this site. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome slow cooker!!
I love apricots! This looks so good!
Oh I would love to have this great slow cooker to make a mondo batch of chili in!
That looks absolutely delicious! I’d love to win this fabulous prize 🙂
Jam looks delicious! I am going to try making it. Love the prize – so many things I could make in that!
great for pulled pork
Yummmm this recipe looks so great! I really need a new slow cooker, so I hope I win!
Im definitely ready for fall!! is one of my favorite seasons.and that recipe looks so tasty!
-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*.
Nice giveaway and a super nice Recipe . Thanks
There are so many great slow cooker recipes you can make with Apricots.
I love Apricots!!! How awesome is this!
Thank you for the giveaway & for sharing the apricot recipes. I look forward to trying them. Waiting to win! 😉
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.
Love apricots! The jam looks amazing! Would love to have a new crockpot! 24 hour programmable? Shut. Up. That is just what I need 🙂
The slow cooker would be perfect for our daughter’s family of 7! I haven’t eaten apricots in a long time… Looks yummy.
I look forward to fall so I can use my slow cooker all the time!
hope to win!
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! 😀
I will definitely be trying the apricot bread. Sounds and looks delicious! I love everything Kitchen-Aid. This looks amazing!
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….. 🙂
I love the jam and bead recipes, I’ll be trying them soon!
Love your blog, so many great ideas! Thank you!
Thank you for the chance to win.
We love apricots! Thanks for this awesome giveaway!
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.
Love this time of year and any recipe using canned items makes my life easier!
What a fantastic recipe, I am definitely trying it this weekend!
I would LOVE To have a new Slow cooker. Mine is old and Very small.
Never thought of using canned fruit for breads! Would love this new slow cooker!!
Oh this would be awesome to do some cooking in.
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!
I love your blog!
wow I can’t believe it – I was just researching slow cookers tonight – I really want one
I would never have thought to use canned apricots but the jam looks delicious!
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!
Love the ease of crock pot cooking!!!
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
Yum! I love all things Apricot too and these recipes look great!
Apricots are one of our favorites. Apricot Freezer Jam! Yum!
I never would have thought of making jam with canned fruit. What a great idea!
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