Because many varieties of apples are available year-round, they are often ignored as seasonal fruits.
However apples picked from local trees are in high demand, as are apples just recently picked from British Columbia or Ontario orchards.
This week’s recipes offer ideas for putting apples to use, from January to December.
• • •
Apple Cookies
1/2 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. cloves
1 egg
1/4 cup apple juice
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped and peeled apples
Beat butter on high for 30 seconds. Add sugars, spices and soda and combine.
Beat in egg and apple juice.
Add flour and chopped apples and mix until combined. Do not overmix.
Drop dough onto lightly greased cookie sheets. Place about 2 inches apart.
Bake at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes until tops spring back. Cool one minute on sheets then transfer to racks.
If desired, ice with a favourite frosting.
• • •
Fresh Apple Bread
1 cup plus 3 tbsps. sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups grated apples
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tbsps. buttermilk
1 cup pecans (optional)
1 tsp. cinnamon
Cream one cup sugar and shortening. Add beaten eggs and apples.
Mix in dry ingredients, vanilla, buttermilk and pecans, if using.
Pour into a loaf pan. Sprinkle top with remaining sugar and cinnamon.
Bake at 350 degrees F for one hour or until toothpick comes out clean.
• • •
Apple Cake
1/4 cup plus 2 tsps. butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup flour
2 cups chopped, peeled apples
Cream butter, eggs, sugars and then add vanilla and spices. Add flour and mix well. Add apples and mix until covered with batter.
Pour batter into a greased 9x9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Frost with a favourite icing or sprinkle top with powdered sugar.
Note: Chocolate or caramel chips may be added for a different flavour.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
