My family just loves apples.
As soon as the weather starts to chill, we start making plans to get to different area apple orchards as often as possible.
Besides the adventure of picking our own apples, we start dreaming up some apple kitchen fun. Each year is a little different.
Here are some of our favorite creations:
*Baked apples are one of the simplest(and my youngest son’s favorite).
We start by gathering the ingredients, which are super simple. Apples, cinnamon, butter, cinnamon, and chopped nuts.
We then scrub and core the apples–trying to leave a little at the bottom to help contain the filling. We mix together the other ingredients and stuff them into the apples. We then put enough water just to cover the bottom of a glass baking dish and set the apples in it upright. Bake at 375 for about an hour, until softened and filling is golden. These are a perfect side dish to almost any meal.
* Apple Crisp is another favorite. I first tried this on accident a few years ago and it was a huge hit.
We start by scrubbing and chopping some apples(some people like to peel theirs, but that’s too time-consuming for me). In a separate bowl, we mix together sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice and then mix in the apples. We dump this mixture into a glass baking pan, already well buttered. In another bowl, we then prepare the topping. We’ve experimented with this, and our favorite is to mix together cold, chopped butter, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and flour. I’m not giving exact amounts because it really depends on your taste preference and how many apples you want to use up. Using forks, we mash up the topping until it’s crumbly and then pat over the apple mixture in the baking pan. This is a fun activity for all ages, even the youngest children. We bake at 350 for about 45 minutes and serve with my all-time favorite, french vanilla ice cream. Delish!
*Apple sauce is kind of a given each week of autumn for my family. Again, one of my favorite parts of apple kitchen fun is that we switch up the ingredients slightly each time, so no one gets bored. For the applesauce, I do take the time to peel the apples(and core them). We then put the chopped up apples, some cinnamon, and sugar into a pot of water on the stove and bring to a boil. We then turn the heat down and cover the pot and simmer for about 30 minutes are so. Then, we mash it up or put in a blender or food processor, depending on the consistency we want. I like to serve warm the first time and then chill the rest in the fridge for a perfect, cool midnight snack.
*Apple muffins are my personal favorite. Apples and cinnamon together is a perfect combination in my eyes. I found this recipe quite a few years back and it is my go-to(I add a little more cinnamon than she does, but that’s just my crazy cinnamon addiction)
https://www.rachaelray.com/recipes/apple-muffins/
On our agenda this week, we are trying our first hand at drying apples. My 17 year old really wants to try this so he can take them to work as a healthy snack. I’m looking forward to watching him try this.
I make as many excuses as possible to spend time in the kitchen with my children and my daycare kiddos. Not only is it healthier for us all, but it’s just downright fun. The talking and laughing and memory making with them will last way longer than the mess does. I challenge you to plan at least one new apple kitchen fun adventure with the special children in your life this autumn.
For some other fun apple activities, check out my earlier blog post:
https://learningisawayoflife.com/apples/
Fall is the perfect time for some apple kitchen fun!
I absolutely love hearing new apple ideas.
What is your favorite apple focused recipe?
These sound delicious. While it is Spring here I will definitely share these recipes I know a few people that will find them useful. Thanks for sharing ❤️
Great ideas 🙂 definitely going to make some of these!