Yummies: A is for APPLES! (part 2 of 2)

While flipping through one of our fave books, The Giving Tree we suddenly became super hungry for a crunchy, mouth watering, tart, crispy, juicy, Falls favorite fruit...the Apple!

Apples are really a perfect fruit...they are satisfying, full of fiber, vitamins and come in a ton of flavors...OK not flavors per say but tons of varities and well ya...flavors.

There are not too many fruits sooo good for you and as super versatile as an apple...

you may remember our uber good post (if we do say so ourselves) about the shiny, yummy fruit and we heart it soooo much we couldn't stop there!

They can go in main dishes, salads, as snacks in sandwiches....but our most favorited way to have apples? (besides with PB or cheese)

....as DESSERT!!!

Here are a few more of our favorite and super easy breezy, awe inspiring, crowd pleasing ways to use apples in a dessert.

OH...PS...Thanksgiving is coming up...offer to bring one of these bad boys to the dinner and you will go down in history...we promise!

Ok...so our all time...most fancy way to enjoy apples in dessert is in a Tart Tatin.

The only problem? It's really hard to make and perfect...

So we searched and searched to find a warm carmel-y replacement....

We found it!

Martha Stewart's Caramel Apple Bread Pudding!!!

Yup...say it again...CARAMEL APPLE BREAD PUDDING!!!!!!!!

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled and cut into matchsticks
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 day-old 8-ounce loaf brioche
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Caramel Bourbon Vanilla Sauce

Directions

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Place apples in a small bowl, and toss with lemon juice; set aside. Butter six 8-ounce ramekins or custard cups; place in a roasting pan. Cut brioche into eight slices, then quarter each slice; set brioche aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together cream, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla, and nutmeg. Add brioche, and toss to coat.
3. Place 1 tablespoon caramel sauce into each ramekin. Add approximately 1/3 cup apple mixture, then 1/3 cup bread mixture. Add a second layer of sauce, apple, and bread.
4. Carefully place the roasting pan on the center oven rack. Fill roasting pan with hot water to within 1/2 inch of ramekin tops. Cover pan with aluminum foil. Cook 20 minutes. Remove foil; cook 20 minutes more. Remove roasting pan from the oven, and transfer ramekins to a wire rack to cool 5 minutes. Using a towel, invert ramekins onto serving platter. Serve warm with remaining caramel sauce on the side.

What is it about apple desserts that brings us right back to childhood? The thought of baked apples, cider and German apple pancakes fills our head...

What's that you say? What's a German Apple pancake??? Oh nothing....just amazingness that can be devoured day or night and is uber simple to make...

We had one of these over 20 years ago and will NEVER forget how yummy it is...

Our most favorite apple dessert ever? The one we actually are asked to make again and again? Dutch Apple Pie or Apple Crumble Pie.

So easy, so warm...it will make everyone kiss you over and over! (unless it's your stinky cousin or aunt with weird facial hair...in that case just run into the kitchen and hide)

Ingredients

• 1 (9 inch) pie shell
• 5 cups apples - peeled, cored and sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Fit pastry shell into pie pan and place in freezer.
2. To Make Apple Filling: Place apples in a large bowl. In a separate bowl combine 2 tablespoons flour, white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Mix well, then add to apples. Toss until apples are evenly coated.
3. Remove pie shell from freezer. Place apple mixture in pie shell and dot with 2 tablespoons butter or margarine. Lay a sheet of aluminum foil lightly on top of filling, but do not seal.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
5. While filling is baking, make Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl combine 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar, oats, and lemon peel. Mix thoroughly, then cut in 1/2 cup butter or margarine until mixture is crumbly. Remove filling from oven and sprinkle streusel on top.
6. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake an additional 30 to 35 minutes, until streusel is browned and apples are tender. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning.

So laaaaazy you need an even easier way to impress the crowd with an Apple Crumbley thing? Make a warm Apple Crisp!

No pie crust needed! And just as delish!

So how ever you enjoy one of natures most perfect foods...well...just ENJOY!

xoxo things we heart

Yummies: An apple a day!

The crisp fall air will always bring apples to mind... OK, so we live in California and the crisp air is more like insanely hot air, but it is still the end of September and you can still enjoy the bounty of the Fall... Even while wearing your sundress. 

Delicious and sweet or sour and tangy, it is apple season. 

Remember the old saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? 

Well, their may be some truth to that. 

French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.

A Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent.

And also, A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.

And we all know that Brazilian women are HOT! 

So maybe Eve was on to something when she ate that famous apple! 

Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy those delicious apples. 

From the queen of all things perfectly perfect.. Martha Stewart comes this insane and indulgent looking Apple Pie... Well, more like deep dish bowl of yummy apple filling blanketed with flakey crust... Getting super hungry just looking at it. 

Recipe here... 

Miss Me's mom used to bake apples with brown sugar... SO GOOD! 

Here is another recipe for baked apple goodness. 

Baked Apple

1 apple, peeled and cored

1-2 tsp butter

1-2 tbsp almonds, chopped

2-3 tsp spice sugar (or use a mix of cinnamon and sugar if you don't have any spice sugar at hand. But you *should* make some!)

Place the apple in a small oven-proof dish. (I use ramekins from Le Creuset.) Push butter and almonds into the hole. Top with the rest of the almonds, if you like me can't fit them all inside. Sprinkle with spice sugar. Bake at 175°C for about 30 minutes, or until the apple is soft.

We heart apple slices with peanut butter!! 

It is so easy and so yummy and pretty good for you right? 

Plus, it makes you feel like a kid again, and that has GOT to be good for you. 

When you get home from a chilly autumn day (It will happen Angelinos, we just have to believe) of running errands and your ears are cold and the tip of your nose is a cute shade of flushed pink... Grab a cup of yummy warm apple cider! 

If you are entertaining this Fall, weather it is a dinner party or just having some friends over... Put a pot of this on the stove and your house will smell like a dream come true! 

Then you can add a little rum and get toasty. 

• 6 cups apple cider
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 6 whole allspice berries
• 1 orange peel, cut into strips
• 1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Don't forget the caramel apples! 

How could anyone resist these amazingly sweet little green apple cupcakes? 

We had to post them just because they made us smile! 

If only their was the time in a day to make these... Ok well, Martha would find the time... But not us. 

See all of these yummy things to heart about the fall? Now we just have to wait for the temperature to drop and we can pull out the pretty sweaters and scarves! 

Until then... 

"How you like them apples?" 

XOXO- Things-We-Heart