Banana Apple Cream Cheese Bites

• 1 ripe banana, sliced into 1/2 inch thick rounds
• 1/2 apple (like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp), cored and diced small
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: cinnamon, chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans), caramel sauce

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
2. Assemble the Bites: Place a banana slice on a serving plate. Spoon a small dollop of cream cheese mixture on top of the banana.
3. Add Apple & Toppings: Top with a few pieces of diced apple. Sprinkle with cinnamon or chopped nuts, if desired. A drizzle of caramel sauce can add extra indulgence.
4. Chill (Optional): Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.

Recipe 2: Banana Apple Cream Cheese Crumble Bars

This recipe features a buttery crumble topping over a creamy banana apple filling.

Ingredients:

• For the Filling:
  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
  • 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• For the Crumble Topping:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8x8 inch baking pan.
2. Make the Filling: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Stir in the mashed bananas, diced apples, and cinnamon.
3. Make the Crumble: In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Assemble & Bake: Press about half of the crumble mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Pour the banana-apple cream cheese filling evenly over the crumble base. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the filling.
5. Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and the filling is set.
6. Cool & Cut: Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.

Recipe 3: Banana Apple Cream Cheese Hand Pies

Individual pastries filled with a delightful banana apple and cream cheese filling.

Ingredients:

• For the Filling:
  • 1 ripe banana, mashed
  • 1 medium apple, peeled and finely diced
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• For the Pastry:
  • 2 ready-made pie crusts (or homemade)
• For Egg Wash:
  • 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water
• Optional: sprinkle sugar

Instructions:

1. Make the Filling: In a bowl, combine the mashed banana, diced apple, softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly combined.
2. Prepare the Pastry: Unroll the pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut out circles (about 3-4 inches in diameter) from each crust. Reroll scraps to cut more circles.
3. Assemble the Hand Pies: Place a spoonful of the banana apple cream cheese filling in the center of half of the pastry circles. Top with the remaining pastry circles.
4. Seal the Edges: Crimp the edges of each hand pie with a fork to seal the filling inside. Cut a small slit on top of each pie.
5. Egg Wash & Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with sugar if desired.
6. Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the hand pies are golden brown.
7. Cool & Serve: Let cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations:

• Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to any of these recipes for a warmer flavor.
• Nuts: Include chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for added texture and flavor, either in the filling or as a topping.
• Lemon Juice: A squeeze of lemon juice over the apples can prevent them from browning, especially in the recipes where they are raw (like the bites and hand pies).
• Sweetness: Adjust the sugar according to your preference and the sweetness of the bananas and apples.
• Pie Crust: Feel free to use a store-bought or homemade pie crust for the hand pies or crumble bars.

Enjoy your delicious banana, apple, and cream cheese desserts! Let me know if you'd like more variations!