Fall Recipes

Photo by Elizabeth Anderson

With the falling of the leaves also comes arguably the best flavors of the whole year. Pumpkin, cranberries, squash and sweet potatoes all have their merits, but by far the most superior and versatile of the fall foods is the apple.

When my sister and I would visit my grandparents for the weekend during fall breaks, we would be tasked with sorting apples from their tree. We would throw out the ones with holes and save the good ones for baking. We watched – and sometimes helped – as our grandma effortlessly chopped, measured and mixed. The smell of buttery, bubbling apples and warm cinnamon would fill the kitchen as we waited in anxious anticipation for the apple treats. When the weekend was up, there were always plates full of desserts to take home and share with our parents. Below are some of my family’s favorite apple desserts.  

If you have 10 minutes: Apple Crescents

Ingredients (Makes 8 Crescents)

• 1 apple, sliced
• 1 package of crescent rolls
• 2 Tbsp. cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 Tbsp. butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven according to the crescent roll instructions and unroll the crescent dough on a greased cookie sheet.
2. Melt the butter and brush it onto the dough.
3. Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a bowl and sprinkle it on the dough
4. Place 1-2 apple slices on each piece of dough and then roll up like a normal crescent roll
5. Bake according to instructions, then top with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, caramel or all three!

If you have 45 minutes: Apple Brownies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups chopped apples
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• Whipped cream

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350º
2. Cream the butter, gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and beat well.
3. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt to the creamed mixture, stirring well.
4. Stir in the apples and walnuts.
5. Pour batter into a greased baking dish (preferably 13’’ by 9’’) and bake for 35 minutes
6. Cool completely, then serve with whipped cream.

If you have two hours: Apple Pie

Ingredients for the crust*:

• 4 1/4  cups flour
• 1 3/4 cups shortening
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar1 egg
• 1/2 cups cold water

Ingredients for the filling:

• 1/3 – 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 8 cups sliced apples
• 2-3 Tbsp. butter

*makes 4 crusts, so freeze the extra two for your next pie-making adventure.

Directions:

1. Mix dry ingredients for the crust together, then cut in the shortening.
2. In a separate bowl, beat together the apple cider vinegar, egg and water. Beat until light.
3. Combine the two mixtures.
4. Chill for 15 minutes, then roll out to desired size.
5. Mix all of the filling ingredients together except for the butter.
6. Spoon into the pie crust and then place the additional pie crust on top, putting a few knife cuts in towards the center.
7. Place pieces of butter on top and sprinkle sugar.
8. Bake at 425º for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350º for an additional 35-45 minutes until the apples are soft.
9. Enjoy with ice cream or whipped cream.