Toasted Apple Cinnamon Sandwich

While raising five children I had to be very creative with meal times. The older they got the hungrier they got, most evident when they came home from school and descended on the kitchen like a pack of hungry velociraptors. One snack that was always a great hit on a chilly autumn day was a toasted apple cinnamon sandwich.

We used to have an old Proctor Silex Electric Sandwich Toaster that came in very handy for making the treats. I sure wish I still had it around! It made two sandwiches at a time and neatly sealed the edges and sliced them in half – resulting in perfect triangles. There was nothing like a warm apple sandwich to curb the kids’ hunger until suppertime. What’s best is that one large apple could often make enough sandwiches to feed them all!

I doubt many people have electric sandwich makers in their pantry but a panini press or a good cast iron pan would work just as well. You can be creative and try some other seasonal fruits, sneak in a few finely chopped vegetables or even add a slice of cheese for a heartier snack.

TOASTED APPLE CINNAMON SANDWICH

2 slices of sandwich bread (crusts removed, if preferred)
Apple
Cinnamon sugar (or maple sugar)
Butter

Peel, core and thinly slice the apple. You’ll need enough slices for one thin layer of apples inside the sandwich. Lightly butter the inside of each slice of sandwich bread. Arrange the apple slices on one slice, then shake on a light coating of cinnamon sugar. Place the top slice of bread on the apples (butter side in).

To toast your sandwich, spread some butter on the outside of your sandwich. Place it butter-side-down on your sandwich maker or pan, then spread a little more butter on the top slice. (This is just like making a grilled cheese sandwich or tuna melt. )

Heat your pan to medium and let the sandwich cook for a couple of minutes on each side. This will toast the bread and heat the filling, slightly softening the apple slices as the butter and cinnamon sugar coats the filling. If you have an electric sandwich maker, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for timing.