Classic Apple Recipes for Fall

A trip to the apple orchard is a quintessential fall outing that helps you slow down and soak up the season. Once you’ve picked your apples, the real fun begins: deciding what to make with them! There are endless ways to utilize this fall fruit.

While apples really shine in pies, muffins, crumbles, breads, and other baked goods, they’re definitely a lot more versatile than they typically get credit for. They make a delicious addition to pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, stuffing, salads, and more. Apples can, of course, also be made into classic favorites like homemade applesauce or apple butter.

Here are a few classic apple recipes (plus, something a little unexpected!) to try this fall.

Apple Sauce

Homemade apple sauce is one of my favorite things to make with an abundance of apples. It’s super easy to whip up a few jars and is much healthier and tastier than store bought versions.

Utilizing different types of apples will lend different flavors. I used ginger gold, a slightly tart that is wonderful for baking and making into apple sauce. But, there are many types of apples that work wonderfully. In any case, you may choose to add more or less sugar depending on the sweetness of the apple variety you use.

Running the cooked apples through a food mill after cooking makes for a smooth apple sauce, and also removes the skins, so there is no need to peel the apples beforehand. This also means that when you use a red-skinned variety your applesauce will be a pretty pink color.

To make homemade apple sauce you will need:

• Apples, cored and chopped
• Water
• Sugar (optional)

Directions:

Add the chopped apples and water to a large pot.

Cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes.

Let cool a bit, then run the cooked apples through a food mill.

Spoon your apple sauce into sterilized jars and store in the refrigerator. For a longer shelf life, store in the freezer.

Apple, Thyme & Swiss Cheese Panini

Though often reserved for baked goods and apples can be a delightful addition to savory dishes too. In this recipe, they’re paired with melted Swiss cheese, a pinch of thyme, and toasted bread. The result is a simple, flavorful panini that captures the flavors of autumn and comes together in just minutes.

To make an apple, thyme & Swiss cheese panini you will need:

• Thin apple slices
• Bread
• Swiss cheese
• Butter, softened
• A few sprigs fresh thyme (or a pinch dried)

Directions:

Assemble the sandwich by layering Swiss cheese, apple slices, and a sprinkle of thyme between two slices of bread.

Lightly butter the outside of each slice of bread.  Place the sandwich in a skillet or panini press over medium heat.

Cook until the bread is golden and crisp, and the cheese is melted, about 3–4 minutes per side.

Apple Crisp

This classic dessert is a seasonal favorite.  It features apples with warming notes of cinnamon for the perfect fall dessert. I find apple crisp is best when enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Filling Ingredients:

• 4 cups, diced & peeled apples (approximately 5 apples)
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp water

Topping Ingredients:

½ cup melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 ⅓ cup oats
⅓ cup flour
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
⅔ cup walnuts, chopped

Directions:

Add the apples, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to a mixing bowl. Then stir in the cinnamon and sugar. Set the bowl aside.

Add flour, sugar, walnuts, oats, and cinnamon to a separate bowl and mix well. Stir in the melted butter and mix until crumbly.

Pour the filling into a baking dish and use a large wooden spoon or spatula to make a even layer. Add the 2 Tbsp of water to the pan. Pour the topping  over top and shake the pan a bit to even it out.

Bake at 375°F for about 45 minutes. Then remove from the oven  and let cool for 10–15 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Apple Coffee Cake

This simple apple coffee cake was my absolute favorite as a kid, so I was thrilled to find the recipe when I was flipping through my mom’s cookbooks a few years ago. I like to make it from time to time for my own family now. It’s one of those special childhood treats that tastes just as good as I remember it!

To make apple coffee cake you will need:

For the topping—

• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp butter

For the cake—

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk
• 1½ cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 cups apples, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.
2. To make the topping, combine the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Add the butter and work it into the mixture until crumbly. Set aside.
3. Beat the brown sugar and softened butter together in a separate mixing bowl. Add the egg and mix until well combined, then stir in the milk.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until everything is incorporated.
5. Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Arrange half of the apples over the batter and sprinkle with half of the topping.
6. Spread the remaining batter over the apples, then layer on the remaining apples and topping.
7. Bake for 45–50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
8. Allow the coffee cake to cool slightly before serving.

Recipe adapted from Even More House Specialties by Deanna House.

Make the Most of Apple Season

Nothing says fall quite like a basket of freshly picked apples! I hope these classic recipes inspire you to make something delicious.