9 Delightful Apple Season Recipes
I absolutely love this recipe because it combines all the comforting flavors of fall into one delicious creation, from the spiced apple cream to the maple cider glaze. Plus, the blend of textures with the crispy oat topping and the moist apple loaf makes every bite a delightful experience that’s hard to resist!
As the apple season shows up, I enjoy the adaptability of tart apples in different dishes. When I am making a recipe with them, they nearly always get joined by their friends cinnamon and brown sugar.
That is for the ambience. The actual dish has a mix of nuts and oats (and some random seeds I found in my pantry), which makes it possibly the most autumnal thing my kitchen has seen so far.
Also: don’t skip melting some chocolate on top.
Ingredients
Apples are crisp, flavorful, and plentiful, as well as a great source of vitamin C.
They are best eaten fresh—cooked apples lose much of their vitamin content.
A medium apple with its skin has 4 grams of fiber and only about 80 calories.
Cinnamon: A warm spice that boosts flavor and might help with metabolism.
Brown sugar: Provides a sweet flavor as well as that of molasses; ensures moistness in baked goods.
Oatmeal: A flavor that is nutlike, fiber and complex carbohydrates made heart-healthy.
Butter: Supplies richness, promotes browning and produces a tender texture.
Juice of Lemon: Imparts flavor, thwarts browning, rich in ascorbic acid.
Maple syrup is a sweetener derived from the sap of the sugar maple and other maple species.
It contains mostly sucrose, with some fructose and glucose.
While it was traditionally used in relatively small amounts, today it flavors many dishes and drinks.
Beyond its flavor, it attracts users because it’s a natural sweetener.
Pecans have a crisp texture, are full of healthy fats, and are rich in antioxidants.
Cream That Is Heavy: Creaminess is added, a high level of fat, a texture that is luscious.
Nutmeg is earthy and aromatic.
This spice is a warm supporter of digestion.
Ingredient Quantities
- 5 cups sliced tart apples
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts
- 1 unbaked pie crust
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
1. Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll the unbaked pie crust into a pie dish, pricking the bottom with a fork. Put it aside.
2. In a big bowl, combine 5 cups of tart apples, sliced; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp nutmeg; 3 tbsp lemon juice; and 2 tbsp cornstarch. Mix well until the apples are fully coated.
You can also use half-and-half for a totaling 5 cups of apples. Use 2 1/2 cups sliced tart apples and 2 1/2 cups sliced sweet apples.
3. Place the prepared apple mixture into the pie crust, giving it an even distribution over the bottom of the shell.
4. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup of flour, 1/3 cup of brown sugar, packed, and 3/4 cup of rolled oats. Add 1/4 cup of nuts, chopped, and stir to combine. Cut in 1/4 cup of butter, to make a crumbly mixture.
5. Spread the mixture of oats over the apples, covering the top completely. Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake it for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden and the apples are tender.
6. As the pie bakes, make a spiced apple cream by whipping together 1 cup heavy cream, 4 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger until soft peaks form. Set aside.
7. Combine 1/4 cup apple cider, 2 tbsp maple syrup, and 2 tbsp butter in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces by half.
8. In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp allspice, and 1/4 tsp cloves. In another bowl, mix together 1 egg, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 1/4 cup honey. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
9. Mix together 1/2 cup of raisins, 1 cup of pecans, and 1 cup of applesauce. Prepare a loaf pan by greasing it and then pour the batter inside. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes and then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
10. To make the cream cheese frosting, beat together 1 cup of cream cheese, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and 2 tablespoons of milk until the frosting is smooth. After the loaf cools completely, spread it on the top of the loaf and serve with a drizzle of maple cider glaze. Note: If possible, use full-fat cream cheese and real maple syrup.
Equipment Needed
1. Oven
2. Pie dish
3. Fork
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Wooden spoon or spatula
7. Knife and cutting board
8. Small saucepan
9. Loaf pan
10. Whisk or electric mixer
11. Baking sheet
12. Small mixing bowl(s)
13. Wire rack
14. Grease brush or paper towel for loaf pan
15. Toothpick
FAQ
- What type of apples should I use?Tart apples, such as Granny Smith, counterbalance the sugars and spices. They are especially good in this recipe because their tartness enhances not only the apple flavor but also the flavor of the spices. I could not stop dipping into this beguiling custard. It is a creamy, unctuous delight, with bites of tender-cooked apple and sweet, chewy bits of almond in every mouthful.
- Can I make this recipe gluten-free?You can indeed replace the flour with a gluten-free version, and make sure that the oats are not only gluten-free but certified so.
- How do I store leftovers?Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for no more than 3 days.
- Can I make this in advance?Indeed, the pie can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator before baking. It should be fine for that length of time.
- What nuts work best for this recipe?Pecans and walnuts add to the flavor profile quite nicely, but you can use whoever your nut of choice is.
- Is it possible to make this dairy-free?Replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and use coconut cream in place of heavy cream.
- What’s the best way to serve it?Warm it up and top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, and you’re really indulging.
Substitutions and Variations
Use 1 tsp allspice instead of 1 tsp cinnamon, for a slightly different flavor profile.
Substitute 1/4 cup honey for 1/2 cup granulated sugar to achieve a natural sweetness and a unique texture.
Substituting for butter in baking requires a careful choice of replacement. Coconut oil is a good candidate, especially when the goal is a dairy-free option. Here are some simple tips for using coconut oil as a butter substitute in baking: 1. Use 1/3 cup coconut oil as a substitute for 1/4 cup butter. In general, when you use coconut oil as a replacement, it performs well, as long as you keep in mind that coconut oil has a distinct flavor.
If tart apples cannot be found, then 5 cups of sweet apples like Gala can be used, with a squeeze more lemon juice to replicate the tartness.
Replace 1 1/2 cups of flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe gluten-free.
Pro Tips
1. Use Fresh, Tart Apples: Opt for freshly picked tart apples, such as Granny Smith or Jonathan, to balance the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the topping. Their firm texture will hold up well during baking, giving the pie a pleasant bite.
2. Pre-cook the Apple Filling: For an even more flavorful pie, consider lightly sautéing the apple mixture in a skillet before adding it to the pie crust. This step can enhance the spices, soften the apples slightly, and reduce excess moisture, preventing a soggy crust.
3. Enhance the Crumble Topping: Stir in a pinch of salt to the crumble mixture to bring out the flavors, and consider adding a touch of ground ginger or cardamom for extra spice complexity.
4. Maple-Cider Glaze: Make sure to let the maple-cider glaze cool slightly before drizzling it over the loaf. This thickens it slightly, ensuring a beautiful drizzle that clings to the loaf rather than soaking in entirely.
5. Frosting Texture: When making the cream cheese frosting, ensure both the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature to achieve a perfectly smooth texture with no lumps. This will ensure a clean finish when spreading the frosting over the loaf.
9 Delightful Apple Season Recipes
My favorite 9 Delightful Apple Season Recipes
Equipment Needed:
1. Oven
2. Pie dish
3. Fork
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Wooden spoon or spatula
7. Knife and cutting board
8. Small saucepan
9. Loaf pan
10. Whisk or electric mixer
11. Baking sheet
12. Small mixing bowl(s)
13. Wire rack
14. Grease brush or paper towel for loaf pan
15. Toothpick
Ingredients:
- 5 cups sliced tart apples
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts
- 1 unbaked pie crust
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions:
1. Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll the unbaked pie crust into a pie dish, pricking the bottom with a fork. Put it aside.
2. In a big bowl, combine 5 cups of tart apples, sliced; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp nutmeg; 3 tbsp lemon juice; and 2 tbsp cornstarch. Mix well until the apples are fully coated.
You can also use half-and-half for a totaling 5 cups of apples. Use 2 1/2 cups sliced tart apples and 2 1/2 cups sliced sweet apples.
3. Place the prepared apple mixture into the pie crust, giving it an even distribution over the bottom of the shell.
4. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup of flour, 1/3 cup of brown sugar, packed, and 3/4 cup of rolled oats. Add 1/4 cup of nuts, chopped, and stir to combine. Cut in 1/4 cup of butter, to make a crumbly mixture.
5. Spread the mixture of oats over the apples, covering the top completely. Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake it for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden and the apples are tender.
6. As the pie bakes, make a spiced apple cream by whipping together 1 cup heavy cream, 4 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger until soft peaks form. Set aside.
7. Combine 1/4 cup apple cider, 2 tbsp maple syrup, and 2 tbsp butter in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces by half.
8. In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp allspice, and 1/4 tsp cloves. In another bowl, mix together 1 egg, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 1/4 cup honey. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
9. Mix together 1/2 cup of raisins, 1 cup of pecans, and 1 cup of applesauce. Prepare a loaf pan by greasing it and then pour the batter inside. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes and then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
10. To make the cream cheese frosting, beat together 1 cup of cream cheese, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and 2 tablespoons of milk until the frosting is smooth. After the loaf cools completely, spread it on the top of the loaf and serve with a drizzle of maple cider glaze. Note: If possible, use full-fat cream cheese and real maple syrup.