It’s fall and a few things spring to mind: the cool weather, pumpkins, changing of the leaves and apple picking!

Apple picking is a fun activity that you can do with your friends. It’s a lot of fun to spend time outside picking apples, climbing trees and eating freshly made apple cider donuts. You can wander around the orchards picking different types of apples such as McIntosh, Granny Smith, Red Delicious and Honey Golden.



I came home from my apple-picking adventures with a lot of apples and knew that even though I really love apples and peanut butter as a snack, I’ll get tired of it pretty fast. I looked up recipes and learned that some apples are better for baking and cooking with than others. One recipe that is extremely easy and really good is applesauce.


To make applesauce you want:
• Four apples peeled, cut and cored (McIntosh apples work really well)
• ¾ cup water
• ¼ cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine all of these ingredients in a pot or pan and cook for 10-15 minutes. You then let them cool and take a masher or a spoon and mash the apples. It’s very easy and the results are delicious!

Another easy and healthy recipe that I made last year is “The Purple Foodie’s” Apple Chips recipe. For this, you will want to keep in mind that it takes a while for these to make, so don’t make these if you are in a hurry!

What you will need:
• 2 gala or granny smith apples
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• A large bowl filled with water

How to make them:
• Turn the oven to 175F
• Fill a bowl with 1 cup of cold water and lemon
• Cut the apples into thin slices, dropping them into the water (this keeps the apples from turing brown)
• Take a baking sheet and line the with parchment paper and place the apples on the sheet, making sure excess water is off.
• Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar onto the apples
• Put the baking sheet in the oven for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until the apples are crisp. It may take a long time depending on your stove and thickness of your apples.

These do take a while, however they taste really good and are worth the long wait!

Check online for an apple orchard near you, with fresh apples and recipes you will find tons of fun things to do in the fall.

By: Brooke Stuart | Images: Brooke Stuart