Apple Desserts
At this time of year, the one dessert that seems to rival pumpkin desserts are Apple Desserts. Today's offerings include Apple Cider Whoopie Pies, Baked Apples, and, of course, an Apple Pie. Enjoy!
APPLE DELIGHT
This is from Patty Catalano at thekitchn. If you haven't visited thekitchn yet, or its sibling site, Apartment Therapy, I highly recommend both sites.
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cook Time: 1 minute; Serves 9
Anywho, to view this online, go to https://www.thekitchn.com/apple-delight-recipe-23578240. Check out the tips for this recipe, too.
Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
12 whole graham crackers sheets (about 6-1/2 ounces), or 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 cup powdered sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups cold heavy cream
1 (about 21-ounce) can apple pie filling
1/4 cup pecans (optional)
1 (1.4-ounce) chocolate-covered English toffee bar, such as Heath (optional)
2 tablespoons caramel sauce
Directions
Place 8 ounces cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer (or large bowl if using an electric hand mixer). Let sit at room temperature until softened, about 45 minutes. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with 2 sheets of parchment paper, positioning them perpendicular to each other, so that the parchment hangs about 2 inches over all 4 sides of the pan to form a sling.
Melt 1 stick unsalted butter in a small microwave-safe bowl in 20-second bursts until mostly melted, 40 to 60 seconds total (it will melt completely as it sits). (Alternatively, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.) Set aside to cool slightly.
Break 12 whole graham cracker sheets into rough pieces and place in a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Add 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of the kosher salt. Process until the crackers are the texture of sand, about 15 seconds. Add the butter and pulse to combine, 6 to 8 (1-second) pulses. (If using graham cracker crumbs, just stir 1-1/2 cups crumbs and the butter together in a medium bowl.)
Transfer the mixture to the baking pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your fingers to press the crumbs into an even layer, making sure to reach the edges and fill the corners. Refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
Add 1/4 cup of the powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to the cream cheese. Beat with the paddle attachment on medium speed until light and very fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Place 1-1/2 cups cold heavy cream and the remaining 1/4 cup powdered sugar in a second large bowl. (If using a stand mixer, transfer the cream cheese mixture to a large bowl. Wash and dry the bowl and use it to whip the cream.) Beat with the whisk attachment on high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 4 minutes.
Transfer 1 cup of whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and gently fold together with a flexible spatula until just combined. Cover the remaining whipped cream and refrigerate until ready to use.
Dollop the cream cheese mixture into the baking dish and spread into an even layer. Open 1 can apple pie filling and use kitchen shears to coarsely chop the apple slices. Spoon the filling over the cream cheese mixture and spread into an even layer.
Spoon the remaining whipped cream over the apple layer and spread into an even layer. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
When ready to serve, coarsely chop 1/4 cup pecans and/or 1 chocolate-covered English toffee bar, if using. Grasping the excess parchment, transfer the apple delight slab to a cutting board. Cut into 9 squares, wiping the knife between each cut for cleaner cuts. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons caramel sauce and sprinkle with the pecans and/or toffee.
Recipe Notes
Ingredient variation: 1 (8-ounce) container thawed whipped topping can be substituted for the sweetened whipped cream.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
APPLE PIE
I got the original recipe for this from an old Betty Crocker Cookbook, years ago. I've tweaked the recipe quite a bit; the original called for butter, which mine doesn't, while I add apple cider or apple juice, which isn't in the original. I also added several other changes to this, changing it to the way my family loves it. Here's the tweaked version of apple pie.
Ingredients
Crust for a 9-inch two-crust pie
3/4 + 1 tablespoon cup sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (do not use self-rising flour, but if you must use it, omit salt)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
dash salt
6 to 7 cups apples (6 to 8 apples), peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup apple cider or apple juice
Directions
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare crust and line pie pan with bottom crust.
Placed cut up apples in large bowl. Add sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and (lastly) apple cider or juice. Mix apples and additions with hands, then pour apples and additions into crust-lined pie pan.
Cover with top crust, cut slits into top crust, then seal edges of crusts. (Note: You can replace top crust with a lattice crust.) Cover top of pie with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning; remove foil last 15 minutes of baking.
Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust.
SLOW-COOKER APPLE CRISP
This is from Pillsbury, and begins, "Skip the oven and make dessert in your slow cooker with this Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp recipe! This decadent dessert cooks up beautifully in the slow cooker to a warm, delicately spiced treat packed with fresh apples and finished off with an irresistible oat topping. Serve with a scoop of ice cream and gather the family together to enjoy this ultimate fall treat."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 small apples, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch slices (6 cups)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Topping
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into 8 pieces
Ice cream, if desired
Directions
Place apples in large bowl; add granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and the cinnamon. Stir until apples are evenly coated.
Spray 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place apple mixture into slow cooker.
In large bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, the oats, brown sugar and salt. Stir until well combined. Using fork or pastry blender, cut cold butter into mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple mixture. Cover and cook on High heat setting 2 hours. Turn off heat; remove cover, and cool 30 minutes.
Serve warm with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens
tip 1
Choose a firm, tart apple variety for this Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp with oats recipe, such as Granny Smith.
tip 2
Be sure to cut apples into even 1/2-inch slices—too thick, and they won't be tender enough; too thin, and they might turn to mush in the slow cooker.
tip 3
Swap old-fashioned oats for quick-cooking oats when making this Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp, if desired.
tip 4
Make this the very best Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp you've ever dreamed up by serving with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.
tip 5
Keeping the cover off the slow cooker for 30 minutes after cooking helps to evaporate any excess liquid as the crisp cools.
MINI APPLE PIES
This is from Kristina Vanni on The Spruce Eats. Kristina wrote, “These deep fried hand pies are a fun and whimsical way to enjoy a mini apple pie! They are best when served warm with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
“They are shaped like turnovers, with a classic cinnamon and apple filling surrounded by a delicate baking powder pastry crust.”
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 1 dozen
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Baking Powder Pastry:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
Apple Pie Filling:
3 cups sliced, cored, and pared tart apples
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups vegetable oil
Powdered sugar
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Start by preparing the baking powder pastry. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Using a pastry blender or two knives in a criss-cross fashion, cut in the cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk and egg.
Gradually stir the egg mixture into flour mixture with fork until just combined and the dough cleans the side of bowl.
On a lightly floured surface, lightly knead for about 1 minute to form a soft dough.
Divide dough in half and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Refrigerate while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
To make the apple pie filling, heat the apples and water, covered, in a medium saucepan to boiling, then reduce heat to low. All to simmer, covered, until apples soften slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove the cover and cook, stirring constantly until liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the granulated sugar and butter. Cook, uncovered for 3 minutes and then stir in the cinnamon.
Mash the mixture with a fork or potato masher to form a chunky puree. Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
When you are ready to prepare the pies, roll one half of dough 1/8-inch thick on floured surface. Cut out 4-to-5-inch circles with floured cutter. (If you don't have a cutter large enough, you can trace around the edge of an inverted bowl to form the circles.)
Spread some of the apple mixture over half of each circle, leaving a 3/4-inch border.
Lightly brush borders with a little water. Fold the pastry in half and pinch the edges lightly with fingers. Seal the edges with a fork. Turn the pies over and again press the seams with a fork. (Do not pierce the dough). Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
Heat oil in a large skillet to 375 degrees F. Fry the pies, 4 at a time so as to not crowd the pan. Turn the pies once, until they are golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, lift the pies out of the oil and drain on to a paper towel lined plate.
Dust the pies with powdered sugar and serve immediately.
APPLE CIDER WHOOPIE PIES
This yumminess comes from Samantha Seneviratne on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samantha wrote, “Their name may be fun to say, but whoopie pies aren’t really pies at all but rather soft, cakelike cookie sandwiches. These are inspired by a classic apple cider doughnut and, true to form, are dusted with cinnamon sugar. Apple cider that's been reduced and a bit of apple butter work in tandem to subtly flavor the fluffy cakes, and good old cream cheese frosting makes the ideal filling. For beautiful, uniformly sized cakes, use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the batter for baking. If you don't have one, they might bake up a little wonky, but they’ll still taste delightful.”
Time: About 55 minutes, plus chilling; Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This can be viewed by clicking here.
Ingredients
For the Cakes:
1-1/4 cup apple cider
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus 2 tablespoons melted
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup apple butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the Filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring the apple cider to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Continue to cook the cider until it has reduced to 1/4 cup, about 16 to 18 minutes. Let cool completely. (You can pop the reduced cider in the fridge or freezer to cool faster while you continue.)
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat the room-temperature butter and brown sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add egg, apple butter and reduced apple cider, and beat until combined. Your batter may look like it has separated slightly, and that’s O.K. Add the dry mixture and mix just until combined, again scraping the bowl as necessary.
Portion the dough into 2-tablespoon scoops on 2 parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets, about 1-1/2-inches apart. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until the cakes are puffed and set, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer sheets to racks. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and the granulated sugar. Brush the tops of the warm cakes with a bit of the melted butter and gently toss them in the sugar mixture. Set aside to cool completely.
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla and beat to combine. Spread about 2 tablespoons of filling on the flat side of half of the cakes. Top with the other halves.
BAKED APPLES
This is from Dorie Greenspan in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Dorie wrote, “I don’t remember my mother at the stove. When asked what childhood dish was my favorite, I’d stammer and come up empty. And then, walking down the stairs in my Paris apartment, I got to the third floor and said out loud to no one: baked apples! My mother made baked apples. Her apples were big Cortlands or Rome Beauties, and she cored and stuffed them with raisins, because my father loved raisins. I also bake with Cortlands or Romes when I can get them, Fujis or Galas when I can’t. I’ll often stuff them with raisins, but I think they’re especially nice filled with bits of dried apple and candied ginger. And I like to baste them with apple cider and honey. They’re good hot or cold, but best served warm and topped with something creamy. Cinnamon (my mom always used too much) is optional.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes, plus cooling.
This was featured in “My Mother’s Best (And Only) Recipe: Baked Apples,” and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020471-baked-apples.
Ingredients
4 large baking apples, like Rome Beauty
2 lemon wedges
2 to 3 dried apple rings, cut into bits
4 tiny pieces crystallized ginger (optional)
3 to 4 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup apple cider or juice
Heavy cream, whipped cream or ice cream, for serving (optional)
Cinnamon, for dusting (optional)
Preparation
Center a rack in the oven and heat to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and set a 9- or 10-inch glass pie dish on top.
Cut a small cap off the top of each apple, and set aside. Using a paring knife or corer, core the apples, making sure not to go all the way to the bottom. Cut away and reserve about 1/2 inch of peel around the tops of the apples. Rub the peeled portions of the apples with the lemon, squeezing a little juice into each opening.
Fill each apple with an equal amount of dried apple and ginger, if using, pressing down lightly as needed to push bits into the opening. Pour 1/2 teaspoon honey over the dried fruit in each apple. Cut the butter into 4 pieces, and top each apple with a pat. Pop the caps back on the apples. (It’s O.K. if they teeter). Transfer the apples, lemon wedges and a few of the reserved peels into the pie dish; pour in the cider or juice, and stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons honey. (The honey won’t blend evenly into the cider, and that’s fine.)
Bake the apples, basting occasionally with the cider and honey, until you can poke them with a skewer or the tip of a knife and not meet much resistance, 50 to 70 minutes. Since apples are so variable, check early and often, as you might need more or less time.
Let them cool for at least 15 minutes before serving moistened with a little pan sauce, and if you want, top with cold heavy cream, whipped cream or ice cream and dust with cinnamon. The apples are good warm or at room temperature. They’ll keep, covered, for 2 days in the refrigerator and can be reheated in a microwave.
APPLE DELIGHT
This is from Patty Catalano at thekitchn. If you haven't visited thekitchn yet, or its sibling site, Apartment Therapy, I highly recommend both sites.
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cook Time: 1 minute; Serves 9
Anywho, to view this online, go to https://www.thekitchn.com/apple-delight-recipe-23578240. Check out the tips for this recipe, too.
Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
12 whole graham crackers sheets (about 6-1/2 ounces), or 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 cup powdered sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups cold heavy cream
1 (about 21-ounce) can apple pie filling
1/4 cup pecans (optional)
1 (1.4-ounce) chocolate-covered English toffee bar, such as Heath (optional)
2 tablespoons caramel sauce
Directions
Place 8 ounces cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer (or large bowl if using an electric hand mixer). Let sit at room temperature until softened, about 45 minutes. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with 2 sheets of parchment paper, positioning them perpendicular to each other, so that the parchment hangs about 2 inches over all 4 sides of the pan to form a sling.
Melt 1 stick unsalted butter in a small microwave-safe bowl in 20-second bursts until mostly melted, 40 to 60 seconds total (it will melt completely as it sits). (Alternatively, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.) Set aside to cool slightly.
Break 12 whole graham cracker sheets into rough pieces and place in a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Add 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of the kosher salt. Process until the crackers are the texture of sand, about 15 seconds. Add the butter and pulse to combine, 6 to 8 (1-second) pulses. (If using graham cracker crumbs, just stir 1-1/2 cups crumbs and the butter together in a medium bowl.)
Transfer the mixture to the baking pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your fingers to press the crumbs into an even layer, making sure to reach the edges and fill the corners. Refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
Add 1/4 cup of the powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to the cream cheese. Beat with the paddle attachment on medium speed until light and very fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Place 1-1/2 cups cold heavy cream and the remaining 1/4 cup powdered sugar in a second large bowl. (If using a stand mixer, transfer the cream cheese mixture to a large bowl. Wash and dry the bowl and use it to whip the cream.) Beat with the whisk attachment on high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 4 minutes.
Transfer 1 cup of whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and gently fold together with a flexible spatula until just combined. Cover the remaining whipped cream and refrigerate until ready to use.
Dollop the cream cheese mixture into the baking dish and spread into an even layer. Open 1 can apple pie filling and use kitchen shears to coarsely chop the apple slices. Spoon the filling over the cream cheese mixture and spread into an even layer.
Spoon the remaining whipped cream over the apple layer and spread into an even layer. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
When ready to serve, coarsely chop 1/4 cup pecans and/or 1 chocolate-covered English toffee bar, if using. Grasping the excess parchment, transfer the apple delight slab to a cutting board. Cut into 9 squares, wiping the knife between each cut for cleaner cuts. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons caramel sauce and sprinkle with the pecans and/or toffee.
Recipe Notes
Ingredient variation: 1 (8-ounce) container thawed whipped topping can be substituted for the sweetened whipped cream.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
APPLE PIE
I got the original recipe for this from an old Betty Crocker Cookbook, years ago. I've tweaked the recipe quite a bit; the original called for butter, which mine doesn't, while I add apple cider or apple juice, which isn't in the original. I also added several other changes to this, changing it to the way my family loves it. Here's the tweaked version of apple pie.
Ingredients
Crust for a 9-inch two-crust pie
3/4 + 1 tablespoon cup sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (do not use self-rising flour, but if you must use it, omit salt)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
dash salt
6 to 7 cups apples (6 to 8 apples), peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup apple cider or apple juice
Directions
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare crust and line pie pan with bottom crust.
Placed cut up apples in large bowl. Add sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and (lastly) apple cider or juice. Mix apples and additions with hands, then pour apples and additions into crust-lined pie pan.
Cover with top crust, cut slits into top crust, then seal edges of crusts. (Note: You can replace top crust with a lattice crust.) Cover top of pie with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning; remove foil last 15 minutes of baking.
Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust.
SLOW-COOKER APPLE CRISP
This is from Pillsbury, and begins, "Skip the oven and make dessert in your slow cooker with this Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp recipe! This decadent dessert cooks up beautifully in the slow cooker to a warm, delicately spiced treat packed with fresh apples and finished off with an irresistible oat topping. Serve with a scoop of ice cream and gather the family together to enjoy this ultimate fall treat."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 small apples, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch slices (6 cups)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Topping
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into 8 pieces
Ice cream, if desired
Directions
Place apples in large bowl; add granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and the cinnamon. Stir until apples are evenly coated.
Spray 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place apple mixture into slow cooker.
In large bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, the oats, brown sugar and salt. Stir until well combined. Using fork or pastry blender, cut cold butter into mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple mixture. Cover and cook on High heat setting 2 hours. Turn off heat; remove cover, and cool 30 minutes.
Serve warm with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens
tip 1
Choose a firm, tart apple variety for this Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp with oats recipe, such as Granny Smith.
tip 2
Be sure to cut apples into even 1/2-inch slices—too thick, and they won't be tender enough; too thin, and they might turn to mush in the slow cooker.
tip 3
Swap old-fashioned oats for quick-cooking oats when making this Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp, if desired.
tip 4
Make this the very best Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp you've ever dreamed up by serving with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.
tip 5
Keeping the cover off the slow cooker for 30 minutes after cooking helps to evaporate any excess liquid as the crisp cools.
MINI APPLE PIES
This is from Kristina Vanni on The Spruce Eats. Kristina wrote, “These deep fried hand pies are a fun and whimsical way to enjoy a mini apple pie! They are best when served warm with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
“They are shaped like turnovers, with a classic cinnamon and apple filling surrounded by a delicate baking powder pastry crust.”
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 1 dozen
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Baking Powder Pastry:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
Apple Pie Filling:
3 cups sliced, cored, and pared tart apples
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups vegetable oil
Powdered sugar
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Start by preparing the baking powder pastry. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Using a pastry blender or two knives in a criss-cross fashion, cut in the cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk and egg.
Gradually stir the egg mixture into flour mixture with fork until just combined and the dough cleans the side of bowl.
On a lightly floured surface, lightly knead for about 1 minute to form a soft dough.
Divide dough in half and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Refrigerate while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
To make the apple pie filling, heat the apples and water, covered, in a medium saucepan to boiling, then reduce heat to low. All to simmer, covered, until apples soften slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove the cover and cook, stirring constantly until liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the granulated sugar and butter. Cook, uncovered for 3 minutes and then stir in the cinnamon.
Mash the mixture with a fork or potato masher to form a chunky puree. Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
When you are ready to prepare the pies, roll one half of dough 1/8-inch thick on floured surface. Cut out 4-to-5-inch circles with floured cutter. (If you don't have a cutter large enough, you can trace around the edge of an inverted bowl to form the circles.)
Spread some of the apple mixture over half of each circle, leaving a 3/4-inch border.
Lightly brush borders with a little water. Fold the pastry in half and pinch the edges lightly with fingers. Seal the edges with a fork. Turn the pies over and again press the seams with a fork. (Do not pierce the dough). Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
Heat oil in a large skillet to 375 degrees F. Fry the pies, 4 at a time so as to not crowd the pan. Turn the pies once, until they are golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, lift the pies out of the oil and drain on to a paper towel lined plate.
Dust the pies with powdered sugar and serve immediately.
APPLE CIDER WHOOPIE PIES
This yumminess comes from Samantha Seneviratne on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samantha wrote, “Their name may be fun to say, but whoopie pies aren’t really pies at all but rather soft, cakelike cookie sandwiches. These are inspired by a classic apple cider doughnut and, true to form, are dusted with cinnamon sugar. Apple cider that's been reduced and a bit of apple butter work in tandem to subtly flavor the fluffy cakes, and good old cream cheese frosting makes the ideal filling. For beautiful, uniformly sized cakes, use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the batter for baking. If you don't have one, they might bake up a little wonky, but they’ll still taste delightful.”
Time: About 55 minutes, plus chilling; Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
This can be viewed by clicking here.
Ingredients
For the Cakes:
1-1/4 cup apple cider
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus 2 tablespoons melted
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup apple butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the Filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring the apple cider to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Continue to cook the cider until it has reduced to 1/4 cup, about 16 to 18 minutes. Let cool completely. (You can pop the reduced cider in the fridge or freezer to cool faster while you continue.)
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat the room-temperature butter and brown sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add egg, apple butter and reduced apple cider, and beat until combined. Your batter may look like it has separated slightly, and that’s O.K. Add the dry mixture and mix just until combined, again scraping the bowl as necessary.
Portion the dough into 2-tablespoon scoops on 2 parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets, about 1-1/2-inches apart. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until the cakes are puffed and set, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer sheets to racks. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and the granulated sugar. Brush the tops of the warm cakes with a bit of the melted butter and gently toss them in the sugar mixture. Set aside to cool completely.
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla and beat to combine. Spread about 2 tablespoons of filling on the flat side of half of the cakes. Top with the other halves.
BAKED APPLES
This is from Dorie Greenspan in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Dorie wrote, “I don’t remember my mother at the stove. When asked what childhood dish was my favorite, I’d stammer and come up empty. And then, walking down the stairs in my Paris apartment, I got to the third floor and said out loud to no one: baked apples! My mother made baked apples. Her apples were big Cortlands or Rome Beauties, and she cored and stuffed them with raisins, because my father loved raisins. I also bake with Cortlands or Romes when I can get them, Fujis or Galas when I can’t. I’ll often stuff them with raisins, but I think they’re especially nice filled with bits of dried apple and candied ginger. And I like to baste them with apple cider and honey. They’re good hot or cold, but best served warm and topped with something creamy. Cinnamon (my mom always used too much) is optional.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes, plus cooling.
This was featured in “My Mother’s Best (And Only) Recipe: Baked Apples,” and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020471-baked-apples.
Ingredients
4 large baking apples, like Rome Beauty
2 lemon wedges
2 to 3 dried apple rings, cut into bits
4 tiny pieces crystallized ginger (optional)
3 to 4 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup apple cider or juice
Heavy cream, whipped cream or ice cream, for serving (optional)
Cinnamon, for dusting (optional)
Preparation
Center a rack in the oven and heat to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and set a 9- or 10-inch glass pie dish on top.
Cut a small cap off the top of each apple, and set aside. Using a paring knife or corer, core the apples, making sure not to go all the way to the bottom. Cut away and reserve about 1/2 inch of peel around the tops of the apples. Rub the peeled portions of the apples with the lemon, squeezing a little juice into each opening.
Fill each apple with an equal amount of dried apple and ginger, if using, pressing down lightly as needed to push bits into the opening. Pour 1/2 teaspoon honey over the dried fruit in each apple. Cut the butter into 4 pieces, and top each apple with a pat. Pop the caps back on the apples. (It’s O.K. if they teeter). Transfer the apples, lemon wedges and a few of the reserved peels into the pie dish; pour in the cider or juice, and stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons honey. (The honey won’t blend evenly into the cider, and that’s fine.)
Bake the apples, basting occasionally with the cider and honey, until you can poke them with a skewer or the tip of a knife and not meet much resistance, 50 to 70 minutes. Since apples are so variable, check early and often, as you might need more or less time.
Let them cool for at least 15 minutes before serving moistened with a little pan sauce, and if you want, top with cold heavy cream, whipped cream or ice cream and dust with cinnamon. The apples are good warm or at room temperature. They’ll keep, covered, for 2 days in the refrigerator and can be reheated in a microwave.
Comments
Post a Comment