From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

     I've noticed lately that everyone I talk to has either just been to the apple orchards or they are going to go the next weekend...Apples, apples, apples!! What to do with them all?! I recently saw this recipe on a friend's board in Pinterest and thought they looked yummy! Found on http://www.thegunnysack.com/2014/09/bloomin-baked-apples-recipe.html

Bloomin’ Baked Apples Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 Honeycrisp apples (or other crisp apples)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp brown sugar, packed
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 4 caramels, unwrapped
• Optional toppings: vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. To get the blooming apple look, you need to cut the apples. Slice off the top 1/4 to 1/3 of the apples. Scoop out the core. I don’t have an apple corer so I used my metal 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon. Then, use a thin knife to make two, deep circular cuts around the center of the apple. Next, turn the apple over and make narrow cuts all the way around the apple. Flip it back over and you can see all of the cuts.
3. Place the apples in an oven safe dish and put two unwrapped caramels into the center of each apple.
4. Heat butter and brown sugar in the microwave for 30 second, stir and continue heating for an additional 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave and stir in flour and cinnamon. Divide the mixture over the top of the two sliced apples.
5. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and use a large spoon to move the apples into bowls.
6. Top with a scoop of ice cream, drizzle with caramel and sprinkle with cinnamon. The ice cream will cause the caramel in the center to harden so eat quickly or put the ice cream scoop on the side.

Another thing everyone tells me about going to the apple orchards is eating apple donuts....Since I might not make it to the orchards this year, I found this recipe to try...http://www.stylemepretty.com/living/2013/10/16/apple-cider-donuts/


Apple Cider Donuts

PREP TIME 15 Minute/s

COOK TIME 10 Minute/s

TOTAL TIME 25 Minute/s

Ingredients

• FOR THE DONUTS:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp apple pie spice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup apple cider
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp. butter, melted
• FOR THE CINNAMON SUGAR TOPPING:
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted

Instructions

1. FOR THE DONUTS:
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
3. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, apple pie spice & salt.
4. Stir in cider, milk, eggs, vanilla and melted butter.
5. Beat together until combined.
6. In a lightly greased donut pan, fill each cup 3/4 full.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the donuts spring back when touched.
8. Cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove from pan.
9. FOR THE TOPPING:
10. Meanwhile, mix together sugars and cinnamon until combined.
11. Brush each warm donut with butter and toss in cinnamon sugar mixture.
12. Enjoy while still warm!