Apple Cinnamon Cookies With Maple Glaze

A girlfriend of mine and I love to bake when we have the time. We found this recipe for Apple Cinnamon Cookies with Maple Glaze thanks to How To; Simplify. Let me just say, they taste like a hand held apple pie. Grab a tall glass of warm cider and enjoy! Ah fall... 

For the cookies:

• 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 large apples, chopped

For the glaze:

• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1-2 tablespoons water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. 
2. Cream together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light in color. Add egg and sour cream; stir to combine. Add remaining ingredients, except apple, and stir until combined. Gently fold in the apples.
3. Drop the cookie mixture by the tablespoonful onto the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the tops are dry.
5. Make the glaze: Whisk together all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Add water until the glaze reaches the desired consistency.
6. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack.
7. Once cookies are cool, place them on a large piece of foil and drizzle them with the maple glaze. 

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Fitness 101

I have always been asked what I do to keep myself fit. The Answer? Cardio, cardio, cardio! I run/walk 5 days a week, 3 miles, and complete ab exercises, and I always give myself the weekend off. I started using YouTube to find ab exercises and I came across one called the BEST ab belly workout. Trust me, those 6 minutes are rough, but totally worth it in the end. Check out the video by Amanda Russell she has tons of other fitness related videos that are worth it to watch. Just an FYI make sure to complete ab exercises every other day. This is important because your muscles need a chance to breathe and regain their strength. If you over do it, you won't see results!

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