Apple picking season is just around the corner. If you’ve never gone with your family I highly recommend it. It’s a great family activity and we’ve always gone at an age where the kids are really excited to pick up apples and put them in their sacks. But of course, if I take my family apple picking, that makes seven bags full of apples and of course I have to find something to do with seven bags full of apples. So I thought I’d share some favorite family recipes. Since we don’t have freezer room or lots of storage, I bless my neighbors and friends with apple stuff. (Maybe I should make up a ‘sneak something apple-y on your neighbor’s porch day?)
Homemade Spiced Apple Butter–This will make your house smell super fantastic for at least a couple days. Start the recipe on one day and finish it the next. Make sure that you plan to be home on that second day though.
You will need:
3 quarts apples
2 cups apple cider
2 ½ cups of sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 sticks of cinnamon
1 teaspon of allspice
½ teaspoon of nutmeg (optional)
Directions:
Peel, core and chop apples. Combine with apple cider in your crock pot.
Cover. Cook on low for 10 to 12 hours.
Stir in sugar, lemon juice, both sticks of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg.
Cover. Cook on high for 2 hours. Stir. Remove lid and cook on high for 2 to 4 hours more, until thickened. Pour into canning jars and seal.
Hot Caramel Dip–I realize that this pretty much negates the nutritional value of serving apples as a snack but every once in awhile it’s worth it! This is a great after school snack because it doesn’t take forever to make. The sauce is actually made in a pan but then you transfer it to a crock pot to keep it warm.
You will need:
½ cup butter
½ cup light corn syrup
1 cup brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Apple slices
Directions:
Mix together all ingredients except apples in a saucepan. Bring to boil.
Pour mixture into crockpot. Turn your crockpot on low (or if you have a warm setting that works as well). Enjoy!