Preparing for apple season with some delicious recipes
Growing up, we've all heard the famous proverb, 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. The proverb actually started in Wales, where it originally went like, "Eat an apple before going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread."
Communities all across the world have known about the benefits of eating apples.
This week I’m sharing four great recipes that contain apples in one form or another.
Theses fall sweet treat recipes should be a hit at a fall get together or for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Apple Brownies
Ingredients:
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
1 egg, beaten
1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. nutmeg
1 c. apples, peeled, cored
and finely chopped
1/2 c. chopped nuts
Directions:
In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy; stir in vanilla and egg. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and nutmeg. Add flour mixture to butter mixture; mix thoroughly. Fold in apples and nuts. Spread batter in a greased 9"x9" baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to minutes.
Cool and cut into squares. Makes one dozen.
The Best Apple Crisp
Ingredients:
Filling:
5 cups fresh apples, sliced
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup old fashioned oats
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a deep dish pie plate or large baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
Combine the sliced apples with the sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a large bowl and mix until all of the apples are evenly coated. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
In a separate medium size bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and stir until well coated and crumbly. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top of the apples.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes until fruit is soft and the topping is golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel on top. Enjoy!
Crock Pot Apple Cider with Caramel and Maple Whipped Cream
You can save time on this recipe with the use of pre-made caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Ingredients:
½ gallon apple cider
1/3 c. brown sugar packed
2 T. pumpkin pie spice*
2 t. real vanilla extract
3 cinnamon sticks
¾ c. homemade caramel sauce divided
Maple-whipped cream
Maple Whipped Cream
In a large glass bowl, blend 1 pint of heavy whipping cream with a hand or immersion blender until it doubles in size and changes texture. Then, drizzle maple syrup into the bowl and continue blending until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Directions:
Add the apple cider, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and cinnamon sticks to your slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours total.
After 2.5 hours, stir in ½ cup caramel sauce. Cover and allow the flavors to mingle for remaining 30 minutes.
Remove and discard cinnamon sticks. To serve, ladle the hot cider into mugs and top with maple whipped cream and drizzle with additional caramel sauce.
Caramel Apple Cheese Ball
Ingredients:
¾ cup walnuts
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese room temp
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ medium green apple diced
1 tablespoon caramel sauce plus extra for drizzle
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
1 package crackers
Directions:
Toast walnuts in a pan over medium-high heat just until browning starts, stirring often; about 5 minutes. Remove and cool completely, then chop or crush walnut into small pieces.
In a medium bowl, stir together softened cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Stir in apple, nutmeg and caramel until ingredients are evenly incorporated. Use hands to roll into a ball shape.
Spread walnut pieces on a plate or flat surface, and roll cheese ball to evenly coat outside. Drizzle top with extra caramel sauce and serve with crackers.