Celebrate Apple Day

Over at Storybook Woods, Clarice and her family are celebrating "Apple Day". It's any day you choose during the fall where you enjoy apples in some form or another. Eating an apple by a cozy fire, baking something yummy with apples, or lighting an apple candle are all ways one can enjoy "Apple Day". It's obvious that apples are enjoyed by Clarice's family. We enjoy apples in our family as well. Since we live next door to a very large Fuji apple orchard, they have become our favorite variety of apple. Gleaning after harvest is an annual family affair and we really love the tree-ripened apples each year. Did you know that an ideal Fuji has a 'water-core' center? It's the only variety I know where orchardists desire this trait. In celebration of this wonderful autumnal event, I'm sharing some favorite family apple recipes in celebration of this fun day.

Aunt Polly's Apple Cake

This recipe was introduced to me when I was dating my husband. It was a favorite dessert made by his mom for both camping trips and company dinners. A dense, moist cake --- it is favored every time!

2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cup oil
3 eggs or egg substitute
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup nuts
1 cup coconut
3 cups diced raw apples

Beat sugar, oil, eggs, and vailla for 3 minutes. In another bowl, sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Fold flour into sugar mixture with a spatula. Add nuts, coconut, and apples, folding carefully. Bake in a tube pan for 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees F.

* may substitute liquid natural sweetener for sugar; reduce by half.
**cake is still delicious if oil in recipe is cut in half.

Puffy Apple Tarts

This recipe is one adapted from one of my favorite cookbook authors. Once I was blessed to be able to attend one of her cooking classes --- such fun! She was as nice in person as I expected she'd be.

4 cups Fuji apples, peeled, cored, sliced and chopped
1 cup apple juice, unsweetened
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup Sucanat
1/8 cup pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. apple juice or water
2 boxes (17.3 ounces each) Pepperidge Farm puff pastry sheets

In a medium saucepan, bring the apples and 1 cup juice to a low boil and simmer covered for 5 minutes. Add cinnamon, vanilla, Sucanat and maple syrup.

In a separate cup dissolve the cornstarch and liquid. Add to above boiling mixture ad stir until thickened. Remove from heat. Thaw and carefully remove pastry sheets from the first box. Keep them refrigerated until 15 minutes before use, or they become too sticky to work with.

Lightly flour a large cutting board or cutting surface and a cookie sheet or baking stone. Open first sheet of pastry onto floured surface. Spread with half of the apple filling to 1/2 inch from edges. Top with remaining pastry sheet.

Using a 2 1/2 inch ravioli press, cut out 9 squares. Using a paring knife, cut around the edges of the press to help make the cuts all the way through the dough.

Gently remove the squares and place them on your floured baking sheet at least 1 inch apart. It is not necessary for the tartlets to be sealed.

Bake at 400 degrees F. for 20 minutes or until nicely puffed and brown.

Repeat above procedure with remaining ingredients. Enjoy!

Apple Burritos

This is something great to make ahead and keep in the fridge until you are ready to serve. A sweet and healthy 'fruit burrito', a delicious sauce adds moisture and even more flavor.

8 apples, peeled and chopped
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup raisins
1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. maple flavoring
6 tortillas
1 3/4 cups plus 1/4 cup apple juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
toasted coconut

In a large saucepan, add apples, water, raisins, walnuts, vanilla, and maple flavoring. Cook over medium heat until apples are softened.

Fill tortillas with apple mixture and roll up. Place filled burritos in a casserole dish, seam side down. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 3/4 cups apple juice and pineapple juice. Bring to a boil.

In a measuring cup combine 1/4 cup apple juice and arrowroot or cornstarch Add to heated juice in saucepan. Reduce heat to simmer and stir constantly until thickened.

Pour sauce over burritos and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Sprinkle toasted coconut over top just before serving, if desired.

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The Schnauzer table runner was made by my mom in honor of our dog family --- Libby, Fiddlesticks, Jetta, Raspberi, Coco, and Tia. I know, they look like Scotties --- but we pretend.