An Abundance of Apple Recipes

My entire family loves to visit our local orchard to pick apples.

It’s a great way to spend time outdoors as a family while also supporting a local business. However, I always get home from a trip to the orchard and realize that I now have an abundance of apples that I must use before they spoil. The top three apple recipes my friends always recommend are apple sauce, apple crisp, and apple pie. However, I am tired of making apple sauce, my children won’t eat apple crisp, and I usually lack the motivation to make an apple pie, which my children will also refuse to eat. After my latest apple picking adventure, I researched some easy apple recipes that my children might actually eat. Here are my favorites.

Apple Upside Down Cake

In his cookbook How to Cook Everything, Mark Bittman suggests that apples can be used in place of pineapples to make an upside down cake. Simply peel and dice some apples and substitute them for the pineapple in your favorite recipe for pineapple upside down cake. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon to the apples to spice things up a bit.

Caramel Apples

One of my neighbors made caramel apples for Halloween last year and I’m really hoping that she makes them again this year. They were delicious, but also a little healthier than the usual Halloween candy bars. If you would like to try your hand at making caramel apples, here is a recipe from Food.com.

Apple Butter

My picky eater actually likes apple butter. He particularly likes it when I send it as a dip to go along with graham crackers. It’s a great option to pack in a lunchbox. Best of all, I can make apple butter in my crock pot and freeze any leftovers to use later. Try this popular recipe from Food.com.

Dried Apples

Core an apple and slice it into thin rounds. Spread the rounds out in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet and bake them in a 200 degree oven until they are dry, about 2.5 hours. These make for snacks that feel decadent and special, but require little prep time and are still healthy.

Apple Brownies

I stumbled across a recipe for apple brownies in a PTO cookbook. They are a great option if you are looking for something a little bit different to take to a bake sale or pot luck. I took some apple brownies to a family gathering and was told that I need to make them again. Here is a similar recipe from Epicurious.com.

Caramel Apple Pork Chops

Apples are not only for snacks or desserts! They also pair well with pork chops to make a quick, family-friendly meal. Use your favorite recipe or try this one from Allrecipes.com.

Apple Cider

I love drinking apple cider in the fall, but I have always just assumed that it was way too complicated for me to make at home. Luckily, Wellness Mama developed this recipe for homemade apple cider. She uses a crock pot to make things as easy as possible. It also has the added bonus of making your house smell amazing. This is a great recipe to make overnight before you have company over.

Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Everyone in my family loves grilled cheese sandwiches, especially when the weather turns cooler. To change things up, thinly slice up an apple and add it in to your grilled cheese sandwich. I particularly like the combination of Granny Smith apples and cheddar cheese, but it’s also fun to come up with other combinations.

Apple Cinnamon Waffles

Apple waffles are a delicious way to start off your day. The Minimalist Baker developed this recipe for vegan apple cinnamon waffles. They are sure to please everyone and only take half an hour to make.

Apple Sandwich

For a quick snack, core an apple and slice it horizontally into rounds. Sandwich two rounds together with peanut butter or your butter of choice. Then you can add whatever you have on hand, such as raisins, granola, or a drizzle of honey. I love that these little treats feel so special yet are simple to make.

I have an entire bag of apples waiting for me in the kitchen. Happy baking!