What to Do with Apples from Apple Picking
So you’ve gone apple picking and don’t know what to do with all those apples you’ve brought home – I’ve got you covered! Having a bagful of fresh apples is a great excuse to whip up sweet treats and savory meals for your family and friends. Of course you can simply snack on some delicious apples with peanut butter but I’m here to share some of my favorite recipes utilizing apples (and apple cider) in a variety of unique ways – apple crisps, apple butter, apple cakes, apple crumbles, apple muffins, apple pie, salad utilizing apples and of course my personal favorite – donuts. October can have pumpkins, September is all apples, all the time.
While you can buy apples in the grocery store year round, fall is when they are at their peak. I love a fall activity, and there’s just something about visiting an apple orchard once the chill of fall sets in. The town I grew up in, Long Valley, NJ, is famous for their orchards and farms. People flock out of New York City just to go apple and pumpkin picking. I make my friends and family take a yearly trip to our favorite orchard to stock up.
What Apples Should I Use for Baking?
You can’t generalize apples when it comes to baking. Not all varieties will create the same dessert. While thin-skinned varieties like Gala, Fuji and Pink Lady are great for snacking, tart apples are best for baking. Here are a few of my favorite types of apples for baking/ cooking:
- Honeycrisp – While Honeycrisp apples are also great for eating, they are just as great for baking because of their semi-sweet flavor. They are easy to find, sweet and their crisp texture holds up as the apples bake. Use them in everything from apple crisp to apple hand pies. Honeycrisp apples only came about in 1991 and quickly became one of America’s favorites.
- Golden Delicious – Golden Delicious apples are yellow with a mild and sweet flavor. They’re similar in flavor to McIntosh apples though they tend to break down faster than other apples on the list so they’re better combined with another variety.
- Cortland – Cortland apples are a bright red popular variety. They are actually a cross between a McIntosh and Ben Davis apple created in New York in 1898. It’s a juicy variety of apple with sweet-tart flavor.
- Jonathan – Jonathan apples are an heirloom variety meaning it can be traced back at least 100 years. They’re a combination of yellow and red in color with a tougher skin. It’s sweet, with a tangy aftertaste.
- Gala – Gala apples are red-pink, aromatic apples with mild and sweet flavor. They’re great for both eating raw and cooking.
- Granny Smith – Tart apples with crisp texture like Granny Smith are also great for baking because they offset the added sugar. Try using a few of them mixed with another variety rather than all Granny Smith for a more well rounded flavor.
Tips for Picking and Storing Apples
- When buying apples look for unblemished and unbruised apples.
- They last about 5 to 7 days on the counter and about 3 weeks in a pantry (or another cool, dark place).
- In the refrigerator they last even longer. The key to storing apples and keeping them fresh is keeping them cool.
How to Prep Apples
While a small paring knife is all you truly need for peeling apples, a vegetable peeler can often be quicker when working with numerous apples. As soon as apples are peeled they quickly begin to brown. So to slow down the process I recommend adding them to a bowl of cold water with a tablespoon of lemon juice. The citrus helps to slow down the oxidization.
23 Of My Top Apple Recipes Below!
Fried Apple Cider Donuts
These classic old fashioned-style fried apple cider donuts are made with reduced apple cider and buttermilk and served rolled in cinnamon sugar.
Apple Butter
Classic apple butter is made from semi-tart apples like Gala, mixed with a little bit of sugar and spice and is the perfect topping to a nice golden brown piece of sourdough toast with a pat of butter. Add to a jar and tie it with a bow for a great seasonal hostess gift.
Apple Crisp
In this apple recipe, sliced apples in cinnamon sugar are served topped with a crumbly, oat topping baked until golden brown. It uses simple ingredients found in any pantry to create a delicious fall dessert. Top with scoops of vanilla ice cream just before serving.
Apple Fritters with Cider Glaze
Basic yeasty donut dough is combined with spiced cooked apples and fried until golden brown and crisp before being dipped in a sticky apple cider glaze.
Apple Cheddar Hand Pies
This apple recipe is basically a hybrid of a classic apple pie and a pop tart with the surprise addition of cheddar cheese on top. The baked apple filling is added to rectangles of simple pastry dough.
Turkey, Apple and Brie Open-Face Sandwiches
Slices of deli-sliced turkey are piled on top of toasted crusty bread with crisp apple slices and creamy Brie cheese. The light flavors pair perfectly with the rich Thousand Island dressing.
German Almond-Apple Butter Cake
This gooey apple cake with just a hint of almond is layered with tart apple slices for an autumn confection. Top each slice with a scoop of salted caramel or vanilla ice cream.
Apple Pancakes
Pancakes are a staple weekend breakfast food and instead of resorting to a pre-made mix take an extra few minutes to whip up this batter. The addition of tart Granny Smith apples adds a satisfying crunch to the fluffy pancakes.
Spiced Apple Cider Cake
My baked apple cider donuts coated in cinnamon sugar are always such a hit, I decided to turn them into a cake! While most cider cakes are made in a bundt pan, I opt for a layer cake.
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Reduced apple cider is mixed into a simple batter and added to molds for simple baked apple cider donuts. Getting a dozen cider donuts may just be my favorite part about apple picking! I always pick up a jug of fresh apple cider and make more donuts at home.
Apple Sangria
This juicy and light sangria filled with fresh slices of apples only takes a few minutes to assemble in a large pitcher and is perfect for holiday parties.
Sweet and Spicy Grilled Cheese with Apples
Make this comfort food recipe with a twist! A homemade jalapeño jelly adds a sweet and spicy twist to this grilled cheese sandwich made with pepper jack cheese, slices of apples and salty bacon on crisp sourdough bread.
Chicken Tagine with Apples and Cinnamon
Make this Moroccan-inspired tagine recipe! The best part is you can cook it in a Dutch oven using a whole chicken broken into pieces. It’s has fragrant spices, like cinnamon and ginger cooked with apples and Marcona almonds for a substantial meal filled with fall flavors.
Apple Cider Brined Turkey Breast for Two
This recipe also uses apple cider. The cider is combined with spices and salt to brine the turkey breast which is perfect for small Thanksgiving gatherings or dinner parties. Pair with mashed or roasted sweet potatoes for a complete dinner.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls
This twist on classic cinnamon rolls includes an autumnal favorite: baked apples which naturally complement the cinnamon sugar filling in this recipe.
Homemade Spiced Apple Cider
Homemade spiced apple cider can be served hot or cold (or with your favorite whiskey) for the perfect seasonal treat.
Apple Dutch Baby
An apple Dutch baby, also called a German apple pancake is a large, fluffy pancake cooked in a hot pan. It makes a wonderful breakfast or dessert.
Caramel Apple Dip
Serve this sweetened cream cheese dip topped with caramel with apple slices for dipping.
Autumn Apple Cider Mimosa
This fall-inspired mimosa pairs apple cider with champagne rather than orange juice. It features a caramel rim dipped in cinnamon sugar for a fun touch.
Turkey Sandwich with Hatch Pepper Apple Chutney
Made with apples, hatch chilies and just enough sugar to sweeten the jam and offset the spice of the chilies, this late summer chutney is the perfect addition to spice up a classic turkey sandwich.
Incorporating crisp, crunchy apples into your fall recipes not only celebrates the season but also makes the most of their peak freshness, turning each dish into a delightful homage to the fall harvest.
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