Delicious "After Apple Picking" Recipes

If you ask me, fall is one of the better seasons. The leaves are changing, and the air is finally cool and crisp after a long, hot summer. One of the greatest things about fall is that you never run out of things to do. From Halloween to Thanksgiving, it's just a fun filled family season. If you haven't already done so, it's time to go apple picking. The apples are only good this time of year, so gather your family one Sunday afternoon, and take a trip to the apple orchards. 

We all know the feeling once we've picked all those apples. You come home with a huge bag of apples, and despite the fact that "an apple a day, keeps the doctor away," no one loves force feeding apples just cause you picked them. Below are a couple of delicious recipes that will use up all those apples in no time! 

Old Fashioned Apple Cider

What you'll need:

• About 12 small-medium apples
• 1 small orange
• 1/2-1 cup brown sugar
• 3-4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 whole nutmeg.
• 1 tbs whole cloves
• water

How to:

1. Once you've washed the apples and oranges, cut them into large slices (dont worry about seeds and peels, they can stay on). 
2. Throw them into a large stock pot, add the sugar and spices, and cover with water.
3. Bring to a boil, and boil uncovered for at least an hour.
4. Cover and reduce to a simmer for at least 2 hours.
5. Uncover and roughly mash contents of the pot. (To further reduce: allow to simmer until cider is dark and spicy)
6. Once the cider is ready, allow to cool and strain. You can use a cheesecloth if you want to get every last drop. 
7. Serve hot or cold, usually makes around 1/2 gallon. 

Dutch Apple Pie With Oatmeal Streusel 

What you'll need:

• 1 (9 inch) pie shell
• 5 cups apples - peeled, cored and sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup butter

How to:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Leave crust in freezer.
2. For filling: place sliced apples in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons flour, white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Mix well, and add to apples. Toss until apples are coated.
3. Remove pie shell from freezer. Place apple mixture in shell and dot with 2 tablespoons butter or margarine. Lay a sheet of aluminum foil lightly on top of filling. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. 
4. For topping: In a medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar, and oats. Mix thoroughly, then cut in 1/2 cup butter or margarine until mixture is crumbly. Remove filling from oven and sprinkle streusel on top.
5. Reduce heat to 375 degrees. Bake an additional 30-35 minutes, until streusel is browned and apples are tender. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning.

What do you do with your extra apples? Post a comment with a delicious recipe!