Put Those Apples To Use: Recipes You Can Make In Your Cabin

If your sights are set on fall in North Georgia, make sure to partake in a genuine Blue Ridge tradition - apple picking! Grab your fill of the local harvest at favorite nearby farms and orchards, the popular Ellijay Apple Festival, or a local grocery store or farmers market. Go ahead and be greedy about it. There’s always plenty to go around! When you return to your cozy cabin, take advantage of that fully-equipped kitchen and whip up a fresh batch of family bonding over a tasty treat. We’re happy to share a few ideas, and some great apple-centric recipes to put your fruitful bounty to delicious use! Of course, there’s something to be said for sinking your teeth right into a freshly-plucked, crisp, juicy apple. Just make sure to save a few for these yummy favorites!

Southern Fried Apples

Photo Credit: michael.t.barrett via Instagram

(From Divas Can Cook)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large granny smith apples
• 4 tablespoons real butter, chopped
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Peel, core and cut apples into even slices.
2. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat.
3. Add apples and drizzle them with lemon juice.
4. Let apples simmer until most of butter is absorbed and apples are tender. (do not overcook. Apples should be firm to the touch, yet tender with a little give to the bite.)
5. Stir together sugars and sprinkle them over apples.
6. Toss to combine.
7. Lower heat if needed.
8. Let apples cook until sugars are completely dissolved and syrupy.
9. Remove from heat and sprinkle apples with cinnamon.
10. Toss to distribute cinnamon.
11. Plate apples and serve piping hot!

Easy Baked Apples

Photo Credit: savory.online via Instagram

(From Preppy Kitchen)

INGREDIENTS

• 4 apples large
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup pecans chopped and toasted
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 4 tbsp butter divided
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract 15mL
• 1 cup water very hot

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and pecans. Set aside.
2. Use a round teaspoon to scoop out the center of the apple leaving half an inch or more of the bottom. The well you create in each apple should be about an inch in diameter.
3. Fill each apple with the brown sugar mixture and top with a pat of butter.
4. Place the apples into a square baking dish and carefully pour the HOT water into the dish.
5. Bake apples at 350F for about 50 minutes. The apples should be softened and tender but not falling apart.

Granny's Fried Apple Pies

Photo Credit: deepsouthdish.com

(From Southern Food & Fun)

INGREDIENTS

• 4 6-oz. bags dried apples
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 heaping cups self-rising flour
• 3/4 cup Crisco shortening
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups ice water
• Additional flour for mixing dough
• 2 cups Crisco shortening
• 4 tablespoons butter

INSTRUCTIONS

For apples:

1. Put apples in a large pot or Dutch oven and add enough water to almost cover. Stir in two cups sugar.
2. Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
3. Turn heat down just a little so apples continue to simmer, breaking up apples with spoon as they cook. Cook until apples are tender and juicy, stirring frequently. You may need to add more water as they cook. Do not allow the apples to get dry. Remove apples from heat and allow to cool.

For dough:

1. Start with 4 heaping cups of self-rising flour and cut in 3/4 cup Crisco shortening and 1/4 cup butter with a fork or your fingers. Mix well until shortening/butter is incorporated into the flour.
2. Add 1 1/2 cups of ice water to flour, and add additional ice water as needed to get all the dry flour mixed in. Mix with a fork until dough is sticky.
3. Dip hands in flour and sprinkle additional flour onto dough so that you can knead it. Use additional flour as needed to be able to knead the dough until smooth and non-sticky.
4. Pinch off pieces of dough to make balls slightly smaller than ping pong balls.
5. Roll each ball out until thin.
6. Add a heaping spoonful or two of apples to one side of rolled dough. After the first couple, you will learn exactly how much apples to place on the dough. If you put too much, the dough will not cover without tearing.
7. Dip your finger in water and rub around the edges of the dough where the apples are.
8. Carefully fold the dough over and press the edges together lightly to seal. Using a fork, crimp the edges to fully seal.
9. Once all the pies are ready, add about 1/2 cup Crisco shortening and 2 tablespoons butter to a large skillet and heat on medium-high.
10. Once the grease is hot enough to sizzle from a drop of water, carefully lay two or three pies in the skillet.
11. Cook about a minute to a minute and half on each side until they are golden brown.
12. Lay pies on a large platter lined with paper towels and serve immediately.

Southern Apple Cobbler

Photo Credit: kokomostudio via Instagram

(From Big Oven)

INGREDIENTS

For filling:

• 4 pounds tart apples ; (such as Granny Smith)
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg ; freshly grated
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice ; fresh squeezed
• 1 teaspoon dried lemon peel ; (fresh lemon zest is ok)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ; cold and cut into small pieces

For topping:

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
• 5 tablespoons solid shortening
• 3/4 cup milk

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Butter a deep dish baking pan.
2. Peel, core and thinly slice apples. Slice apples as uniform as possible to ensure even baking in the cobbler. In a large bowl sprinkle apples with lemon juice. Mix cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar and dried lemon peel; sprinkle on apples and toss gently to coat. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, mix flour, sugar and baking powder; cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly. Add milk and stir with fork. Form dough into a ball; turn out onto floured board and roll to about a 1/2- to 1-inch larger than baking dish.
4. Pour apple mixture into buttered baking dish, dot with the cut up butter. Place dough over top and seal edges. Cut vents in crust.
5. Bake for 10 minutes, reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking for another 30 to 40 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and apples are tender. Let cobbler rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Southern Apple Fritters

Photo Credit: keyingredient.com

(From Key Ingredient)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 3/4 tsp Salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/3 cup Milk
• 1 Egg
• 1 cup Chopped Apple
• 2 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 1/2 T Milk
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour oil into skillet so that it is approximately 1-1/2 inches deep. Heat oil on high. (360 - 375 degrees F.) Oil is ready when dough floats to top. Carefully add dough to oil in heaping Tablespoons.
2. Cook until brown, about 2 minutes, then flip. Cook another 1-2 minutes, until both sides are browned. Transfer briefly to paper towels to absorb excess oil, then transfer to cooling rack.
3. Make glaze by stirring milk and powdered sugar together in a small bowl. Drizzle over apple fritters. Wait approximately 3 minutes for glaze to harden, then flip fritters and drizzle glaze over the other side.
4. Best served warm.

Apple Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread

Photo Credit: iamsepideh via Instagram

(From A Southern Soul)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can large "Grands" biscuits - buttermilk, butter or original

For filling

• 2 medium Honeycrisp apples, finely chopped- other varieties work well too
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• pinch salt

For glaze

• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add apples, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt to a medium sauce pan set to medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until apples are tender but not mushy. Turn off heat and let cool.
2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9X5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
3. Using a sharp knife, slice each biscuit in half, horizontally. Spoon about a tablespoon of apple filling onto each half. Stack 4 biscuit halves on top of teach other.
4. Place stacks in loaf pan, making sure that each end has biscuits without filling touching end of pan. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to cook for approximately 5 - 8 minutes until top of bread is golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes then remove from pan.
5. Whisk together confectioners sugar, milk and vanilla. Drizzle over bread.

Apple Dumplings

Photo Credit: thebakermama via Instagram

(From Southern Bite)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 apple
• 1 8-ounce) 8-count tube of refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
• 6 oz Sprite

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Core and peel apple into eight slices. (I used one of these handy little apple slicers and got the job done in one whack.)
3. Open can of crescent rolls and unroll. Place one apple slice on the wide end of one crescent and roll it up in the crescent.
4. Place into the prepared dish. Continue with other rolls.
5. In a small bowl combine melted butter, sugar, cinnamon, and flour and mix until just combined.
6. Spoon over each crescent.
7. Pour Sprite into empty space in the middle of pan (NOT over the crescents).
8. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until crescents are golden brown.
9. Serve warm with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Southern Pecan and Apple Salad

Photo Credit: benjaminfaulkner via Instagram

(From Health)

INGREDIENTS

• Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup pecan halves
• 3 teaspoons orange zest
• Juice of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 medium red or green apples, cored, quartered, and thinly sliced
• 2 heads Belgian endive, separated into leaves
• 2 cups mixed greens (such as arugula and radicchio)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Lightly rub a cookie sheet with olive oil; set aside. Heat a large saucepan over low heat; add butter and sugar. Simmer a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally, until sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture darkens. Gently stir in pecans until well-coated; be careful not to splash yourself. Transfer nuts to cookie sheet; use the back of a spoon to separate them into one layer. Allow to cool so caramel hardens.
2. Combine orange zest, orange juice, mustard, vinegar, and oil in a large salad bowl; stir well with a whisk. Have a taste--you want a nice balance between the vinegar and the oil. Adjust, if needed, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Add apples and greens to dressing. Break cooled pecans apart; add half to bowl. Toss mixture gently with your hands. Top with remaining crumbled pecans. Divide among 6 plates; serve.

Southern Style Sausage & Apples with Cheese Grits

Photo Credit: jonesdairyfarm.com

(From Jones Dairy Farm)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/4 cups low fat milk
• 1/2 cup old fashioned white grits*
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 (5 oz) package Jones Dairy Farm Golden Brown® Chicken Sausage Links
• 1 large red or green apple, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk together milk and grits in a heavy medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over high heat, whisking occasionally. Reduce heat to low and stir in garlic and salt if desired. Cover and simmer 12 to 14 minutes or until thickened, whisking once or twice.
2. Stir cheese into hot cooked grits until melted.
3. Meanwhile, heat sausages in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until cooked through.
4. Add apple slices; continue cooking, turning occasionally, until sausage is cooked through and apple is tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Drizzle syrup over sausage and apple and cook 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Serve over hot cooked cheese grits.

Best Southern Apple Pie Sangria

Photo Credit: goepicurista.com

(From Go Epicurista)

INGREDIENTS

• ½ orange (sliced in small wedges with peel)
• 1 Granny Smith apple (cored and chopped)
• 2 apples of different variety (cored and chopped. I used red delicious and gala.)
• 1 ½ cup vanilla bourbon (I used Jim Beam Vanilla)
• ¼ cup apple pie spice simple syrup (see recipe)
• 1 750 ml unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay (chilled, CK Mondavi and Family Chardonnay)
• 2 cups fresh apple cider (chilled)
• 1 can club soda (chilled)
• orange or spiced bitters (I used Peychaud’s)
• 8 cinnamon sticks (garnish)
• 1 apple (thin sliced for garnish)

Apple Pie Spice

• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• 1/4 tsp allspice

Apple Pie Spice Simple Syrup

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp apple pie spice (see recipe or use pre-made)

Apple Pie Spice Sugar Rim

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp apple pie spice

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare apple pie spice simple syrup (see recipe)

Sangria

1. In a large sealable bag, combine orange slices, chopped apples, bourbon, and apple pie spice simple syrup. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. When ready to serve, combine chilled Chardonnay wine, apple cider, bourbon fruit mixture in a large pitcher and stir.
3. Rim glasses with spiced sugar. (see instructions below)
4. When serving, don’t add ice to the pitcher. Using chilled ingredients is best so you don’t dilute the drink. Add ice to the glass after you rim with spiced sugar. Another fun trick is to make chardonnay or apple cider ice cubes to chill the drink without diluting.
5. Add splash of club soda and dash of bitters and stir. Garnish with cinnamon stick and apple slice. You can also use candied orange, candied ginger, or dehydrated apple chip to garnish.

Apple Pie Spice

1. Make your own by mixing ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp cardamom and 1/8 tsp allspice.

Apple Pie Spice Simple Syrup

1. Combine water, sugar and spices in a small saucepan on medium low heat.
2. Bring to boil and simmer until sugar is dissolved and turns to syrup. Let sit until room temperature and then keep in refrigerator.

Apple Pie Spice Sugar Rim

1. Combine white sugar and apple pie spice in a small shallow bowl, large enough to fit the rim of the glass.
2. Rub an apple slice around the rim of the glass to wet it with the juice.
3. Dip rim of glass generously into the spiced sugar.