Better Homes & Gardens 100 Best Apple Recipes

PIÑATA Created by German researchers in the 1970s, the crisp, juicy Piñata is a cross of three heirloom favorites: Golden Delicious, Cox’s Orange Pippin, and Duchess of Oldenburg. In Europe it was known as the Pinova or Sonata apple. Growers in the United States renamed it Piñata for marketing in this country. It’s a great variety for baking, cooking, or just eating out of hand. RAVE This licensed apple is a non-GMO combo of Honeycrisp and MonArk. While the extreme juiciness and tart taste are enough of a draw, Rave also boasts being the first-to-harvest apple in Washington state, starting in late July. It’s best eaten fresh and in salads. COSMIC CRISP With a balance of sweet and tart flavors and an unbelievably juicy bite, this firm apple is the off spring of Honeycrisp and…

YUM, CHAI The word chai actually means tea in Hindi. But stateside, it’s short for masala chai, a black tea infused with spices—like ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom—and mixed with milk. In the grocery, look for chai tea bags near other teas. CHAI-APPLE OATMEAL PREP 10 minutes COOK 30 minutes STAND 10 minutes 2 cups refrigerated coconut milk beverage2 cups brewed chai tea½ cup applesauce¼ tsp. salt1⅓ cups steel-cut oats1 cup chopped apple2 Tbsp. honey Ground cinnamon and/or toasted flaked coconut (optional) 1. In a large saucepan combine first four ingredients (through salt). Bring to boiling, watching closely as mixture may foam up. Stir in oats. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, about 30 minutes or until oats are tender and mixture is creamy, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 10 minutes. 2. Stir apple and honey into…

APPLE-CRANBERRY GALETTE PREP 45 minutes CHILL 1 hour STAND 30 minutes BAKE 15 minutes at 425°F + 30 minutes at 350° 2 cups all-purpose flour1 Tbsp. sugar½ tsp. salt½ cup cold butter, cut up⅓ cup shortening¼ to ½ cup ice water4 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored, and sliced about ¼ inch thick2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice⅔ cup sugar1 tsp. apple pie spice1 cup fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (tip, p. 83)1 egg1 Tbsp. water1 Tbsp. sugar 1. For pastry, in a large bowl combine flour, 1 Tbsp. sugar, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. of the ice water over part of mixture. Toss with a fork to moisten. Continue adding water 1 Tbsp. at a time, moving moistened mixture…

BUTTERY SCONES Somewhere between the texture of a muffin and a biscuit is where you’ll find scones. The best scones have a tender, crumbly interior and a thin, crusty top. They’re often richer than biscuits and muffins thanks to all the butter worked into the dough. APPLE SCONES WITH SPICED MAPLE BUTTER PREP 30 minutes BAKE 15 minutes at 400°F 2¾ cups all-purpose flour½ cup granulated sugar1 Tbsp. baking powder1 tsp. apple pie spice or ground cinnamon½ tsp. salt½ cup butter, chilled and cut into small pieces1 cup finely chopped tart cooking apple2 eggs, lightly beaten¾ cup heavy cream1 egg yolk, lightly beaten1 Tbsp. heavy cream1 small cooking apple, cored and thinly slicedCoarse sugar or granulated sugar1 recipe Spiced Maple Butter or honey 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line an extra-large baking sheet with parchment paper…

APPLESAUCE IS SMOOTH, SPOONABLE, AND STANDS ON ITS OWN AS A SNACK. SPICED APPLESAUCE Prepare as directed, except add 10 inches stick cinnamon and 1½ tsp. apple pie spice in Step 1. Simmer as directed. Discard stick cinnamon. Substitute ¾ cup packed brown sugar for granulated sugar. Stir in additional brown sugar to taste (¼ to ¾ cup). Freeze or can as directed. VERY BERRY APPLESAUCE Prepare as directed, except replace 1 lb. (4 cups) of the apples with 1 lb. (4 cups) raspberries and/or strawberries (fresh or thawed if frozen) and decrease water to 1½ cups in Step 1. Freeze or can as directed. CAN IT! Prepare as directed through Step 2. Ladle hot applesauce into hot, sterilized pint or quart canning jars, leaving a ½-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims; adjust lids and screw bands.…

CHICKEN-APPLE BURGERS PREP 40 minutes GRILL 14 minutes 4 slices bacon, chopped½ cup finely chopped onion2 cloves garlic, minced½ tsp. black pepper¼ tsp. salt¼ cup apple brandy or apple juice⅔ cup finely chopped tart apple2 Tbsp. snipped fresh Italian parsley1 tsp. snipped fresh sage2 lb. uncooked ground chicken1 cup soft bread crumbs6 hamburger buns or rolls, split and toastedToppers such as mustard, grilled onion slices, and/or lettuce (optional) 1. For apple mixture, in a large skillet cook bacon over medium until crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels, reserving 1 tsp. drippings in skillet. Add onion, garlic, pepper, and salt to reserved drippings. Cook about 3 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Carefully add apple brandy. Simmer, uncovered, until nearly all the brandy evaporates. Remove from heat. Stir in bacon, chopped apple, parsley,…