Apples for Baking: Three Recipes to Try This Fall

Did you know there are apples specifically used for baking? Having the right type of apple can make or break your apple dessert. When you have the right type of apple, your homemade desserts will have the right balance of tart, sweetness and the consistency you are looking for. Going with any apple could have your dessert watery, falling apart or mushy. So which apples are primarily used for baking?

✨Apple types to choose from that make baking with them easy:

🍎 Crispin: All around really great apples that are sweet, crunchy and juicy.

🍎 Cortland: Perfect for apple pie fillings that are both sweet and tart.

🍎 Ida Reds: Old-fashioned apple taste great for making baked apples.

🍎 Winesap: They hold great in just about everything when it comes to baking apple desserts: Muffins, cakes, crisps and pies.

🍎 Braeburn: Compliment and do well with Fall spices - cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.

🍎 Pink Lady: More tart and don't oxidize as quickly as other apples.

Early September is the best time to go apple-picking and bring home farm-fresh apples for your baking. You will typically come home with half a bag of small sweet-tart apples which trust me - you can make so much with. Here are three tested and delicious apple recipes to try so your apples won't go to waste.

1. Homemade Apple Pie

Link to Classic Butter Crust: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/classic-butter-pie-pastry/

Note: Changed recipe to 1/3 cup of water. I found any more water - made the dough too sticky.

Link to Apple Pie Recipe: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/apple-pie/

If this is your first attempt at making homemade apple pie, I'd say this is a safe and easy recipe to try.

Bakers tip: If you are going to add granulated sugar or cinnamon on top layer of crust before placing it in the oven - avoid the pie crust edges because it will burn.

2. Apple-Cinnamon Walnut Muffins

These were the most delicious, moist and well-rounded apple-cinnamon, walnut muffins I ever made as to why out of all the recipes I have tried, this one seems to be the best.

Link to Apple Cinnamon Walnut Muffins: https://copykat.com/fresh-apple-muffins-fresh-apples-really-make-a-difference-in-muffins/

3. Slow-Cooker Apple Cider

When the Fall season arrives, one thing I always look forward to is apple cider. When I realized I could have my home smelling like it and could enjoy making it at home throughout the season - changes everything!

Here is a slow-cooker recipe I have tried and tested.

Link to slow-cooker apple cider recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/shortcut-slow-cooker-apple-cider-5468518

I set up the slow cooker on low for eight hours overnight versus the four hours on high. You can imagine what comforting smells filled our home the next morning.

I hope your family enjoys these recipes as much as mine does. They have become part of our family Fall traditions.

We are officially a few days away from Fall! Cheers!