Although Fall arrived in retail stores at the beginning of this month, it’s really only been the actual season for a week. As much as I love Fall flavors, I try my best to hold off on cooking and baking with them until this time so we all don’t burn out on them before the season is over. But now that it’s officially Fall – bring on everything the season has to offer! Apple season began this month and there’s no shortage of recipes out there to help you use up all those apples you picked. Below are a few of my favorites…
Image Credit: Kat Suletzki
Flat Apple Pie {via ree drummond for food network}
Apple pie is one of those desserts that seems a little unorthodox to make when it’s not a holiday or some sort of celebration, even for someone who bakes a lot like myself. This creative take on the pie seems much less daunting and more appropriate for everyday eating. The pie crust recipes that is included with this recipe is the one that I use any time I need a pie dough but if you’d like to make this pie even easier, store bought dough would work great.
Whole Wheat Apple Muffins {via smitten kitchen}
There are times for a jumbo bakery style sugar bomb of a muffin that we normally can find at coffee shops and grocery stores, but there are also times for muffins made in the correct size and with the correct amount of sugar that the baked good should have. These are those muffins! They perfectly highlight the apples, have minimal added sugar, and are half whole wheat, making them a muffin’s muffin and not a cupcake in disguise.
Image Credit: Lauren Brennan
Caramel Apple Slices {via a cup of sugar…a pinch of salt}
If you really love caramel apples but find them difficult to eat for a multitude of reasons, these caramel apple slices will solve all of your problems and become your next favorite thing. They allow you to have that caramel apple deliciousness without any of the fuss that can sometimes come trying to bite into them. These look very impressive to the point where they might seem intimidating to make, but thankfully that is not the case, making them perfect for a dinner party.
Crock Pot Applesauce {via skinnytaste}
Making apple sauce is a great way to use up lots of apples, making it an ideal recipe to make if you got a little overzealous with the apple picking (like I always do). There are lots of recipes out there and it’s a pretty basic process, but I love this one that uses a crockpot. This way, all you have to do is prep the apples at the beginning, throw everything in, and turn it on. No worries about watching a stove or making sure the applesauce doesn’t burn. Doesn’t get easier than that!
Image Credit: Deb Perlmen
Salted Caramel Apple Crumble {via lauren’s latest}
This is a very fun twist on a more traditional dessert. Anything that is made in a cast iron skillet is instantly more delicious than if it were made in a normal pan and the salted caramel sets it over the top. In a traditional crumble apples are mixed with flour and sugar, but in this one the caramel sauce takes place of the sugar which gives the fruit so. much. flavor. Lauren gives instructions on making your own caramel sauce, but I’ve made this with store bought before (oops) and it worked perfectly. Just be sure to buy actual caramel sauce and not “caramel ice cream topping.”
Apple & Pear Crisp {via ina garten}
A traditional fall fruit crisp from the food queen herself, Ina Garten. I have found memories associated with this crisp: it was the first baked good of this kind I made and the first thing I baked in my sophomore year apartment in college. On a related now, in case you also face an equipment failure, you should know that the crumble topping can be put together entirely with your hands while sitting on your kitchen floor. After you prepare the apples (but before you bake the crisp) I’d suggest tasting them to make sure they are to your liking – every fruit is different and might require a small adjustment in spices.
What are your favorite ways to use up Fall Apples?
The Hudsucker 
Yummy!