5 Apple Recipes to Spice Up Your Fall Baking

This past weekend, I decided to leave beautiful San Diego and venture over to Julian. Julian is known for their apple picking and their unique apple pie. Obviously, I went for the apple pie... and for the 45 apples we would obtain and later use for fall baking. 

If you're finding yourself with a surplus of apples, or if you just wanna bake some fall recipes, try any of these. We tried it all, from baked goods, to apple pops, to apple sauce—so there's an apple recipe no matter what you're craving.

2-Layer Apple Crisp

• Prep Time:30 mins
• Cook Time:45 mins
• Total Time:1 hr 15 mins
• Servings:12
• Easy

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter softened
• 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• For the filiing:
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 large apples peeled and sliced about 6 cups
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon butter

• Step 1

  Beat the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl until crumbly. Add flour and oats, and mix well.

  

• Step 2

  Press 3 cups oat mixture into the bottom of the greased 9x13" inch baking dish.
  
  #SpoonTip: If you want thicker slices, use a smaller baking dish.

• Step 3

  In a different bowl, mix the first five filling ingredients. Then, add the apples and vanilla, and toss to combine them. Spoon this over the oat layer and sprinkle with the remaining oat mixture.

  

• Step 4

  Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and apples are tender.
  
  #SpoonTip: Serve with ice cream and/or caramel for added deliciousness.

  

Mini Apple Pie Cookies

• Prep Time:25 mins
• Cook Time:25 mins
• Total Time:50 mins
• Servings:1
• Medium

Ingredients

• 6 apples
• 1 package refrigerated pie crust or 2 crusts
• 5 ounces caramel sauce
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Ground cinnamon

• Step 1

  Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cookie with parchment paper and non-stick spray (very important). Remove pie crusts from fridge so that they are at room temperature.

• Step 2

  Peel the skin off of the apples and throw away. Continue peeling so that you have a pile of white peels in the bowl.

• Step 3

  Dust work area with flour and roll out crusts. Use one of the pie crusts and cut out circles for the cookies using a cookie cutter or something else (I used the top of a glass). Cut the other crust into 1/2" strips.

• Step 4

  Place the round crusts on the cookie sheet. Spread a thin layer of caramel sauce on each cookie, followed by a pile of white apple peels.

  

• Step 5

  Using the 1/2" strips, create a "tic-tac-toe" pattern over each cookie so that they look like mini pies.

  

• Step 6

  Beat the egg in a bowl and add sugar and nutmeg. Blend. Brush the cookies with this egg wash. Sprinkle the cookies with cinnamon.

• Step 7

  Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes.
  
  #SpoonTip: These cookies are best warm, so eat up!

  

Apple Cookie Cups

• Prep Time:30 mins
• Cook Time:20 mins
• Total Time:50 mins
• Servings:15
• Medium

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar divided
• 3/4 cups granulated sugar divided
• 2 sticks unsalted butter softened plus a little bit more for cooking the apples
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 apples peeled and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Caramel sauce

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, 1/2 granulated sugar, and 1 cup brown sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix. Add flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir. This is the base of the cups.

• Step 2

  Spray two regular-sized muffin tins with cooking spray. Scoop dough into muffin tins and press down with a spoon in a "cup-like" shape. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown. Don't worry if the centers rise, because you will be pressing that part down.
  
  #SpoonTip: You can put some of the dough in a small muffin tin for a variety of sizes.

  

• Step 3

  While the cookies are in the oven, start on the apple filling. Melt about 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet on medium-high heat.

• Step 4

  Add apples and saute until they begin to soften. Add the remaining sugars, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Cook until soft and caramelized.
  
  #SpoonTip: We didn't have cornstarch, so we used about 2 tablespoons of flour instead.

• Step 5

  While the cookies are still warm, use a shot glass to press the center down and form cookie cups. Make sure to spray the bottom of the shot glass first. Let cool for 15 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.

  

• Step 6

  Spoon the apple filling into the cookie cups. We drizzled some with caramel for added flavor. Enjoy!

  

Chocolate Apple Pops

• Prep Time:20 mins
• Cook Time:0
• Total Time:20 mins
• Servings:10
• Easy

Ingredients

• 5 apples or as many as you want
• 1 package chocolate baking squares
• 1/2 package white chocolate baking squares
• Popsicle sticks
• Toppings

• Step 1

  Place apples upright on a cutting board and cut into 1/2" to 3/4" slices. Use a knife to make a small cut into the bottom of the apple slice. Insert popsicle stick.

  

• Step 2

  Cut the baking chocolate into little squares and heat in the microwave in a bowl until melted. Line a baking sheet (or something flat that will fit in your fridge) with wax paper.

• Step 3

  Begin dipping the apple slices into the melted chocolate and place on the baking sheet. Refrigerate for 5-10 minutes, or until chocolate sets.
  
  #SpoonTip: We tried one with caramel, but it didn't turn out too well. Stick to chocolate.

  

• Step 4

  Drizzle the apple slices with caramel sauce, white chocolate, pretzels, M&M's, chocolate chips, sprinkles, or whatever you desire. Return to the fridge until all of that sets (about 5 minutes). Then, enjoy!

  

Homemade Apple Sauce

• Prep Time:10 mins
• Cook Time:20 mins
• Total Time:30 mins
• Servings:4
• Easy

Ingredients

• 6-7 apples
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup water

• Step 1

  Peel all the apples and cut them into large chucks. Place them in a sauce pan or a pot and barely cover with water. Bring to a boil. Add 1/4-1/2 cup sugar. Reduce heat. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the apples are soft.

  

• Step 2

  Use a spatula to mash up the apples. Add a pinch of cinnamon and remove from heat.

  

Fall is here, and who doesn't love fall baking? Now you have the perfect excuse to stay in for the night and eat your heart out.