Great Apple Recipes to Welcome Fall

Fall can sometimes bring the blues as we put away our summer clothes and prepare for the onset of another long winter. But, there’s certainly one reason to be happy in fall – it’s Apple season! You might be thinking “there’s an apple season?”, and you’d be right to wonder why then we get apples all year round. The apples that we eat all year round are either exported from other countries, usually from the southern hemisphere or have been sitting in long-term cold storage since the last season. Unfortunately, long-term cold storage can have an effect on the flavor of apples, so it’s best to get them while they’re in the optimum eating condition in the fall! Here at NetCost Market, we’ve got some great apple recipes that will help you make the most of this delicious fruit that’s grown and enjoyed all over the world!

Sharlotka – Fluffy Russian Apple Cake

Sharlotka is a traditional Russian apple cake and it makes the perfect dessert at Thanksgiving!

You will need: 4 Granny-smith apples (peeled, cored and thinly sliced), 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 cup of sugar, ¾ cup and 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg, pinch of salt, 3 large eggs, ½ teaspoon almond extract, powdered sugar for dusting.

How to make:

1. Preheat your oven to 350F and grease the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform baking pan.
2. Mix the apples and lemon juice with 2 tbsp of sugar in a large bowl and leave to stand for 15 minutes (or longer if possible).
3. While that is standing, whisk the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a small bowl. In another bowl, beat the 3 eggs with the almond extract and the remaining sugar on a medium heat until a thick and yellow smooth paste is formed. It should take between 8 to 10 minutes. Next, gently fold in the dry ingredients until a thick mixture is formed. Be careful not to lose the airiness of the mixture!
4. Spread the apples in the greased baking pan in a spiral type pattern. Pour over the mixture until the apples are evenly covered and let it stand for 5 minutes.
5. Bake for 1 hour. The top should be crisp and brown, and the middle nice and firm (use a cake tester or skewer to test).
6. Tip out onto a serving platter and dust with powdered sugar and serve it nice and warm.

Caramel Chocolate Apple!

Fall also brings Halloween, so it’s a great idea to think of clever ideas to inspire the kids and get creative! This simple caramel apple recipe is quick, easy, and certainly more nutritious than a mountain of candy, and with Halloween falling right in apple season, there’s no excuse not to try this one!

You will need: 6 apples, 14 ounces caramels, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 large bar milk chocolate.

How to make:

1. Remove the stems from the apples and push through a craft stick (non-sharp ones are best)
2. Butter a baking tray.
3. Add the caramels and milk to a bowl and microwave for 2 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
4. Roll each apple very quickly in the caramel sauce, making sure they’re well coated and then carefully place them on the sheet.
5. Put them in the refrigerator to set.
6. Melt the chocolate bar either on the stove using hot water and a bowl, or in the microwave.
7. Once the caramel has set, dip the apples in the chocolate, once again placing them on the tray and back into the refrigerator.
8. Once set, they’re ready to go!

You can also try some fun tricks like adding bat wings or spider legs to make your candy apples spookier!

Apple, Leek and Cheddar Cheese Soup

Not all apple recipes need to be sweet desserts! There’s plenty of great savory recipes out there, and this one is no exception! This winter warmer is the perfect way to keep the cold at bay this fall, and its easy, cheap and full of vital nutrients to keep away any winter illnesses!

You will need: 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 leeks (trimmed, and roughly chopped), 2 green apples (peeled and roughly chopped), ½ cup all-purpose flour, 1 ½ tsp turmeric, 1 ½ cups apple cider, 2 ½ cups vegetable broth, 2 cups grated cheddar cheese, salt and pepper to taste, chopped walnuts and cranberries for garnish!

How to make:

1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a pot large enough to fit all the ingredients.
2. Add the leeks and apples and cook for 10 minutes on a medium heat until both have softened.
3. Next, add the all-purpose flour and stir for 1 minute.
4. Add the turmeric and salt and pepper (you can add more at the end if desired).
5. Now add the apple cider vinegar and vegetable broth, stir the ingredients and let it simmer for around 15 minutes.
6. Once the vegetables are very soft, take off the heat, and blend the mixture until smooth.
7. Put the pot back on the heat and add the cheese, stirring it in slowly until all has been melted.
8. Use a ladle to serve the soup in small soup bowls, topping with the chopped walnuts and cranberries to give it that real fall feeling!

Apples are one of the world’s most eaten fruits, so it’s no surprise that there’s such a great variety of meals they can be used in. Try making the most of apple season this year and get creative with how you eat apples! NetCost Market stocks a great variety of apples, so head down to your local store to check out what you can make this coming fall!