Story and Photos By Amanda Causey Baity
Autumn is awesome! I love the smells, the cool weather and let’s be honest…the food is amazing too! As the temperatures cool off, everyone seems to retreat indoors, and the ovens get fired up to make lots of yummy goodies.
If you didn’t get a chance to make the Halloween goodies from last month’s issue, you have to try these. The smell of apples and oranges are a staple for the start of the holidays in my house. Get the kids involved and make memories of trying new things that may become your favorites!
Golden Apple Punch
Ingredients
- 1-part apple juice
- 1-part lemonade
- 1-part white grape juice 2-parts ginger ale
- 2 green apples
- Ice
Directions: Mix ingredients well and serve cold. Slice apple in half for flavor and decoration. Serve in a clear container for extra decor.
Fall Potpourri
Ingredients
- 4 apple peels
- 2 orange peels
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2-3 star anise (optional)
- 2 bay leaves (optional)
- 1/4 tsp. whole cloves (optional)
Stovetop Directions: Add ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer. Allow to simmer uncovered for as long as you like, adding water as needed so the pot doesn’t run dry.
Slow Cooker Directions: Add dry ingredients to your crock pot. Bring four cups of water to a boil, and then add it to the crock pot as well. Set the crock pot to low and add water as needed.
Blooming Apples
Ingredients
- 2 Honeycrisp apples (or other crisp apples)
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 3 tbsp. brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp. flour
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 4 caramels
- Optional toppings: vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and cinnamon
Directions: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
To get the blooming apple look, you need to cut the apples. Slice off the top 1/4 to 1/2 of the apples. Scoop out the core with a melon baller or stainless steel measuring spoon.
Use a thin paring knife to make two, deep circular cuts around the center of the apple. Next turn the apple over and make narrow cuts all the way around the apple. Flip it back over, and you can see all of the cuts.
Place the apples in an oven-safe dish, and put two caramels into the center of each apple.
Heat butter and brown sugar in the microwave for 30 seconds; stir and continue heating for an additional 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave and stir in flour and cinnamon. Divide the mixture over the top of the two sliced apples.
Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. (Check apples after 25 minutes and continue cooking until tender. Some apples can take 45 minutes to 1 hour to soften.)
Remove from the oven and use a large spoon to move the apples into bowls. Top with a scoop of ice cream, drizzle with caramel and sprinkle with cinnamon. The ice cream will cause the caramel in the center to harden, so eat quickly or put the ice cream scoop on the side.
Amanda Causey Baity (abaity@princewilliamliving.com) is Director of Operations for Prince William Living and Brides & Weddings magazines. She is a cookbook author and publishes her blog with family-friendly recipes, crafts and décor ideas. You can find out more at HeyYallLetsEat.com.
