Apples are usally a favorite fruit for children. And, with a few simple additional ingredients, you and your children can make these quick snack ideas for delicious new ways to enjoy apples.

1 apple

3 tablespoons peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/4 cup topping (granola, cereal, toasted coconut, sunflower seeds, or a combination of these)

1. Core the apple.

2. Cut a thin slice off both the top and bottom and discard.

3. Slice the apple crosswise into 3 thick rings.

4. Spread one side of each ring with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter.

5. Place ¼ cup of topping in a shallow dish or bowl and gently dip the apple rings, peanut butte side down, into the topping. **Or sprinkle the toppings evenly over the three rings and gently pat the topping on.

Apple Ring Variations

Fruity Apple Rings

1. Spread 3 apple slices with 1 tablespoons of cream cheese each.

2. Top with raisins or other dried fruits.

3. Or top with Fruity Pebbles cereal.

Cheesy Apple Rings

1. Top each apple slice with a slice of American or Cheddar cheese.

2. Microwave the apples in the microwave on high (full power) for 20 seconds.

25 Kraft Caramels

1/4 cup milk or light cream

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped

3 red or green apples, sliced

1. Place the caramels, milk, and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl.

2. Microwave on high (full power) for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, or until the caramels are completely melted, stirring after each minute.

3. Serve warm as a dip with apple slices.

4. Sprinkle dipped apples with chopped peanuts.

This recipe also works pretty well with bananas as long as the bananas are cold and still firm.

Ritz Crackers (about 5)

About 2 tablespoons of cream cheese.

1 apple, thinly sliced into wedges

Cinnamon Sugar

1. Divide the cream cheese evenly among the Ritz crackers and smear on top of each cracker.

2. Place an apple slice top of each.

3. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

1 ½ tablespoons sugar (confectioners' or granulated)

1 teaspoon cinnamon (or more to taste)

Pinch of ground cloves

Pinch of nutmeg

1 large crisp apple, such as a Braeburn or a Granny Smith

1. Preheat the oven to 200˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Stir together the dry ingredients in a small bowl, and then sprinkle half the mixture onto the baking sheet.

3. Cut the apple into slices at thin as possible, up to 1/8-inch. (You don't need to core or pee it; the seeds will just fall off.) **If you have a mandoline, cut the apple vertically into rounds. If you're using a knife, it may be easier to halve the apple lengthwise and then put the halves cut side down and make half-moon-shaped slices.

4. Arrange the slices on the baking sheet in one layer.

5. Sprinkle the remaining spice mixture over the apple slices.

6. Bake in the middle of the oven for 1 ½ hours.

7. Rotate the pan and bake for another hour or until the apples are crisp. (If yours aren't getting crisp enough, turn off the oven and leave the apples in the oven overnight.)

8. Loosen the chips with a spatula, then cool for 10 minutes before removing them from the parchment.

Apple Chips will keep for up to one week in an airtight container.