Apple Recipes Galore: From Cake to Cider

Apples, apples and more apples. Picked from trees in early autumn then transformed into rich desserts. You can also make your own cider for baking or drinking. There are plenty of interesting ways to use apples.

If you've gone apple picking then we are going to use apples. LOL

Wondering what to do with all the apples that you went and picked yourself? Here are a few ideas to get you started. These ideas are some creative ways to use your apples if you have too many!

Apple & Almond Cake

Create this Apple and Almond Cake for your next cocktail party! You'll love how easy it is to throw together and how delicious it is.

Ingredients:

1 cup almonds or 1 cup almond flour/meal

1 cup of spelt or whole-wheat pastry flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

1 ½ tsp cinnamon + more for dusting

¼ tsp nutmeg

Pinch salt

1 small banana, mashed (about ½ cup)

¼ cup honey

2 eggs

⅓ cup butter, melted

⅓ cup yoghurt

1 tsp vanilla

3 small apples

2 tbsp sliced almonds

Direction

Almond flour always seems like a frivolous expense when you can easily make your own. If you don’t have it on hand, start by making it in your food processor.

• Add 1 cup whole almonds along with 1 tbsp of spelt flour. Process until you get a floury texture, but be careful not to overprocess as you don’t want the almonds to release their oil and turn into butter. Measure one cup and reserve the rest, if any, for another use.

• Preheat the oven to 350F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper and oil the sides.

• In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients and set aside (1 cup almond meal, spelt flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt). In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed banana, honey, eggs, melted butter, yoghurt, and vanilla.

• Peel, core and quarter the apples. Grate one of the three apples and slice the rest. Add the grated apple to the wet ingredients and whisk to incorporate.

• Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir to combine. Fold in the sliced apples.

• Pour into a prepared 9-inch cake pan, sprinkle with the sliced almonds and dust with cinnamon. Bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

• Cool down for 30 minutes before removing it from the baking pan.

• Slice and enjoy with a warming cup of tea, perhaps.

It's the quintessential party food -- easy to prepare, delicious to eat and endlessly versatile.

This dessert is guaranteed to become your favorite new cocktail party treat. It will have you serving it to all of your guests, and they'll be raving about it for weeks!

Apple Cider Champagne Cocktail

Apple cider champagne cocktail is a delicious twist on the classic champagne cocktail. This cocktail is best served chilled or over ice in a wine glass.

This is a great drink to serve at holiday parties, but it can also be made any time of year. Warm and cozy fall drink, perfect for the holiday season. It's got the refreshing taste of apple cider, but with a bubbly champagne kick!

So if you're looking for a new drink to try this weekend, give this one a shot! It's not as sweet as champagne, so it might be just what you need after a long week of work.

Ingredients:

2 cups chilled apple cider (see recipe for homemade)

2 cups chilled champagne

optional rim garnish: 1 tablespoon brown sugar + 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar

Instructions:

Begin by preparing the garnish for this drink by mixing brown sugar and turbinado sugar together and pouring it on a small plate.

Next, wet the rim of 4 champagne flutes and carefully dip them in the sugar mixture. Repeat until all champagne glasses are garnished.

Finally, pour 1/2 cup of apple cider into each champagne flute and then top the apple cider with about 1/2 cup of champagne and enjoy!

Learn how to make homemade apple cider in a few easy steps!

This Crockpot Apple Cider recipe is so simple to make with customizable flavor options and no added sugar! Have your hot cider mulling away in your slow cooker, filling your home with all the cozy aromas of fall and winter! With no fancy equipment, you can even make this healthy apple cider on the stovetop!

Homemade Apple Cider (no added sugar)

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lbs Apples (mixed variety, roughly quartered)

• ½ Cup Brown Sugar Sweetener (optional & to taste, use any sweetener of choice)

• 1 Medium Orange (optional)

• 4 Cinnamon Sticks*

• 1 TB Whole Cloves*

• 1 Whole Vanilla Bean (sliced lengthwise)*

• Fresh Filtered Water

Crockpot Instructions:

1. Core and roughly quarter or chop your apples, before adding them, along with the additional spices and flavorings to a large 6-8 quart slow cooker. Pour in enough water to cover the apples, leaving an inch or 2 of space from the top rim.

2. Cover the slow cooker and simmer on high for 2-4 hours (6-7 on low), until the apples are soft (timing will depend on the type of apple and size of chop).

3. Mash the apples with a potato masher or wooden spoon to release as much flavor and natural juice as possible. Cover and simmer for another 1-2 hours on high or 2 hours on low.

4. Now carefully strain the solids particles and chunks of fruit from the cider with a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or fine mesh skimmer. Set the solids aside for applesauce, compost, or discard.

5. Taste test the cider for sweetness and adjust as needed. Serve warm from the crockpot or chill in the fridge overnight for a cold cider.

Stovetop Instructions:

1. Core and roughly quarter or chop the apples before adding them along with the spices, and flavorings to a large 8-quart stockpot. Cover the contents with water, leaving an inch or two of space from the top of the pot.

2. Cover and bring the pot to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 2-4 hours until the apples are soft.

3. Mash the apples with a potato masher or wooden spoon to release all juices and flavors. Cover the pot again and simmer for another 1-2 hours.

4. Carefully remove the solids from the cider with a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or fine mesh skimmer. Set the solids aside for applesauce, compost, or discard.

5. Taste test the cider for sweetness and adjust as needed. Serve warm from the pot or chill in the fridge overnight for a cold cider.

Notes

• All spices, flavorings, and mulling ingredients are optional and can be adjusted to taste.

• Storage: You can store leftover cider in the fridge for 5-7 days.

• Freezing: To batch and freeze leftover apple cider, pour the cider into gallon-sized freezer bags and freeze flat until solid. Then you can move the bags and store them in the freezer where needed. Thaw the frozen cider in the fridge overnight by placing the frozen bag in a bowl to prevent leaking. Frozen cider is best used within 6-8 months.

• Reheating: To reheat cold apple cider, warm it on the stove in a pot over low heat or in the microwave in a mug to the desired temperature.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 Cup

Ok, I'll stop teasing! The truth is that whether you've been apple-picking or have purchased apples, there are a lot of great ways to use them.

Champagne is great and all, but why not branch out and try something new? Apple cider is the more unconventional option. The best part? It's cheaper, and it's still a bubbly drink, but its taste is more complex with notes of fruit that are more distinct than those of champagne. This recipe, while a bit unorthodox, is sure to make any party better. While it still has the bubbly elements of champagne, its taste is more complex with notes of fruit that blend in more naturally and taste more refined. Use it at any party to wow your guests!

By following the recipe above for the Apple and Almond Cake, you will get a cake that'll keep you and your guests regular.

Make this recipe for the winter holiday season.