Homemade Applesauce & Cinnamon Toast Strips

Ingredients

For 10 preschool servings: 10 medium apples, peeled and cored; 1/2 cup water; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon total (1 teaspoon for the applesauce and 1 teaspoon for the toast); 10 slices approved whole-wheat bread; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or approved spread. No artificial sweetener.

Preparation

Cook peeled apples with water and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until very soft. Mash or blend to the planned texture; do not add artificial sweetener. Lightly brush bread with oil or approved spread, dust with the remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, toast only until soft-golden, and cut into easy-to-hold strips. Serve applesauce cooled to a safe temperature.

Toddler and infant guidance

Serve toddlers ¼ cup applesauce with half a slice of soft toast strips. Preschoolers receive ½ cup applesauce with one slice. Infants may receive smooth unsweetened applesauce only when approved in the individual feeding plan; omit toast unless wheat and texture are approved.

Nutrition note

Planning estimate per preschool serving. Verify current product labels and measured yield.