Apple Dinners, Drinks, and Desserts recipes
As we wind down on apple season here in Minnesota, you may be wondering how to use all of the apples you grew or picked at the orchard. Here, we've compiled a few recipes that may help to use those up and not let them go to waste!
Growing up, we picked apples every year and I am going to share some of my family's favorite recipes here with you! We always use Haralson apples, but feel free to experiment and use your favorite apple if you want!
Cinnamon Apples
Use these as a side dish to your dinner this fall. It is cozy, warm, and delicious! I think it pairs best with porkchops or ham.
4 cups of sliced apples (about 1/2 in thick) - use any kind of apple you like
1 tsp. cinnamon (or to taste)
3 Tbsp. butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
Peel and slice your apples into approximately 1/2" thick slices.
Over medium heat, heat up the apple slices in a frying pan, and add your butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook the apple slices until they are firm, but cooked down, or to your texture preference. Stir often.
If you like a more firm cooked apple, take them off the heat earlier, or if you like a soft cooked apple, leave them on a bit longer.
Apple Cider
This is a great recipe to serve at holiday gatherings or to drink after playing in the snow! It gives a cozy vibe to any day, and tastes great reheated too!
4.5 cups apple cider (homemade or store-bought)
1.5 cups cranberry juice
1 cinnamon stick
3 whole all spice berries
Pour your liquid amounts into the percolator, and add your spices to the top chamber. Let it percolate for about an hour, and serve.
For an extra touch, add a cinnamon stick in the cider when it is being served!
Apple Crisp
This is a fall family classic! It was my grandmother's recipe, and we look forward to it every year!
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup softened butter or margarine
1 tsp. cinnamon
5 medium apples (Haralson or another baking apple)
Lemon juice (optional)
Preheat oven to 375.
Mix together softened butter, flour, brown sugar, oatmeal, and cinnamon until it is well mixed in. Press about 1/4 to 1/3 of your mixture into a greased 8x8 baking pan. Bake for 3-5 minutes to set.
Peel and slice apples while that cooks, and then add them on top of the baked crust. Sprinkle with lemon juice for freshness.
Add your remaining topping on top of the apples, and return to the oven for 30-45 minutes or until apples are soft and top is golden brown.
Let cool for a couple minutes, and serve! We like to serve with vanilla ice cream when the apple crisp is still warm.
Applesauce
This is the simplest recipe in the world. There are only 2 ingredients!
3 quarts peeled, sliced apples (about 1/4 in. thick)
2 tsp. cinnamon (or to taste)
Throw your sliced apples and cinnamon in a saucepan. Heat on the stove on low heat, and simmer for 3 hours. Stir occasionally. Serve! (It is best when it is chilled).
Enjoy!
I hope that you enjoy these if you give them a try, and leave a comment with your opinion if you did!
Keep going and keep growing!
Chantel
