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The moment the air turns crisp and the leaves start to turn, I find myself completely obsessed with cooking apples. There’s something almost magical about that smell drifting through the kitchen on a cool fall afternoon — warm cinnamon, tender fruit and a hint of buttery spice.
Which Apples are Best for Baking?
It’s the first question I get every fall and the answer has almost nothing to do with the name on the label. What decides whether an apple holds its shape or melts into sauce is how tart and juicy it is – sharp, watery apples collapse, while sweet and dense ones stay in neat wedges. Neither is wrong, you just want the right one for what you’re making.
Apple
What it does
Use it for
Granny Smith, Braeburn, Northern Spy, Pink Lady
Stays in neat wedges
Pie, tarte tatin, anything where you want to see the slices
Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Empire
Softens without falling apart
The middle of a pie blend, baked whole, apple cake
McIntosh, Bramley (the British cooking apple), Gravenstein
Collapses to a sauce
Applesauce, apple butter, crumble (crisp), the binder in a pie
Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji
Goes watery and bland
Eating raw – keep them out of the oven
Pro Tip: The best apple pie uses two kinds – a firm apple for the slices and a soft one to melt into a sauce that binds them. This is the single point every testing-based source agrees on Apple Butter Ca almost no roundup says it plainly.
Sweet Treats for Fall
I’ve been baking these recipes for years, and they’re the ones I reach for again and again, from a simple but sensational rustic Dorset Apple Cake to a show-stopping Apple Crumble Cheesecake that’s the perfect marriage of two desserts.
Whether you’re after a quick apple-based air-fryer treat, a classic crumble for a chilly evening, cider donut-style muffins for your morning coffee, or something fun for Halloween, there’s a little bit of everything here for everyone.
1
Apple Butter Cake With Cinnamon Frosting
4.86 from 7 votes
Apple Butter Cake with spiced layers and creamy frosting. Think of it as a level-up from apple cake – deeper flavor, more moisture, and a dessert that feels like autumn in every bite.
Indulge in the perfect fall treat with this delicious pumpkin apple bread recipe topped with a sweet and crunchy streusel topping. Follow my easy recipe to create a warm and cozy treat that will impress your family and friends.
Eve’s Pudding is an easy and delicious classic British pudding. A simple apple sponge pudding that’s incredibly comforting served warm with custard or vanilla ice cream.
This Apple Cinnamon Bread is quick and easy to make, fragrant, moist and delicious! Made simply with applesauce and scented with cinnamon and nutmeg, it will make your house smell simply amazing.
These Apple Cider Muffins taste just like your favorite fall fair donut — fluffy soft, warmly spiced and bursting with apple flavor. Easy to make and perfect with a cup of coffee as a treat!
When I want all the cozy fall flavor without heating up the whole kitchen, this is the recipe I reach for. It's quick to put together, wonderfully moist and fluffy, and that cinnamon cream cheese frosting on top is completely irresistible.
Apple and Blackberry Crumble is the ultimate Autumn dessert! Seasonal apples and blackberries topped with a crunchy and buttery crumble topping. Delicious served warm with ice cream, custard, pouring cream or vegan alternatives.
Apple Crumble Cheesecake with a creamy apple filling topped with crunchy crumble topping and tender cinnamon apples. The perfect marriage of cozy apple crumble and decadent rich cheesecake!
Plum and Apple Crumble makes the most of juicy plums and crisp apples. Incredibly easy to make and delicious served warm with ice cream, custard or cream.
Slow Cooker Apple Butter is one of those cozy, set-and-forget recipes that screams autumn. No peeling, no fuss – add everything to your crockpot and let it work its magic. Stir this glorious apple butter in yogurt, spread it on toast, use it in your fall bakes – it is endlessly versatile and swooningly delicious.
Enjoy these classic cozy dishes that are practically made for sweaters, fireplaces and hot drinks. Grab a pan, air fryer or your slow cooker and let’s make this fall taste as good as it smells!
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One Pan Autumn Chicken Dinner
Fall in one pan! This easy dish riffs on classic honey-mustard roast chicken and the sheet-pan supper trend, with autumn produce—potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, shallots and apples.
This deliciously tender creamy pork casserole with cider, apples and chestnuts is the perfect winter warmer! Make it in your Instant Pot, slow cooker or stovetop. Please note you will need more liquid if cooking on the stove.
This Pork Tenderloin with Apples is cooked with bacon, garlic and herbs in a rich creamy sauce. An easy pork fillet recipe that’s quick enough for everyday but special enough for date night!
For truly tender pork, try my Cider Braised Pork Shoulder recipe! The pork cooks in apple cider and broth with onions, butternut squash and apples until it becomes melt-in-the-mouth tender. A comforting meal full of fall flavors – delicious served over buttery mashed potatoes.
