Embrace Everything Fall Apples Have to Offer

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With the arrival of fall comes embracing the changing colors of leaves, saying hello to warm flannels and oversized sweaters, and of course, celebrating the apple season! Juicy, crisp and refreshing, apples are the true sign of fall. With apple picking being a popular yearly tradition for many, it appears that more than often, the apples are either forgotten about or are left to be eaten by themselves. Apples provide various health benefits, and incorporating apples into recipes is a fun way to enjoy them.

Health Benefits of Apples

An apple a day keeps the doctors away! A study done by Matthew Davis and co-authors at the the University of Michigan School of Nursing revealed that an apple a day does not necessarily keep the doctors away, but it does keep the pharmacist away. What does this mean exactly? Apples have recurrently been shown to provide our bodies with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Findings of the previous study showed that daily apple consumers were more likely to avoid prescription medication. With that, here are some of the health benefits of consuming apples:

• Lower risk of diabetes. Various researchers from the U.S., U.K. and Singapore conducted a study involving tens of thousands of participants’ fruit consumption, and the effect that it has on diabetes risk. Results showed that those who consumed three servings of apples, grapes, blueberries, raisins or pears weekly had a 7 percent lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared to those who did not.

• Helps with weight control. Apples have the ability to fight obesity, say scientists at Washington State University. Their 2015 study revealed that apples, specifically Granny Smith apples, may be helpful in preventing disorders linked to obesity. The fruit is high in fiber which is associated with decreasing the risk of metabolic disorders.

• Improves heart health. Apples have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. They provide a gel-like substance to the digestive system known as soluble fiber – more specifically, a type known as pectin – which helps lower blood cholesterol levels. One experiment also discovered that high intakes of flavonoids, a type of antioxidant found in apples, was linked to a 20 percent lower risk of stroke.

• High in nutrients. According to the Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database, apples have an abundance of essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Apples contain a high measure of vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system. Vitamin C can also help the body form and repair connective tissue, including bones and skin.

Apple Recipes

With so many apples, there’s nothing better to do than to incorporate them into sweet desserts to enjoy. Here are three recipes to turn your plain apples into something more tasty and fun!

First up are the mouthwatering caramel apple muffins that combine apples with an exploding caramel flavor. Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups of apples, diced into small 1/8 to 1/4 inch pieces

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon1 large egg

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup caramel flavored creamer

• 1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 cup and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• Caramel sauce (optional for drizzling)

How to Prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray a non-stick muffin pan with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan.

2. Add apples, cinnamon and flour to a medium bowl.

3. Add the egg, sugar, creamer, oil and vanilla into a large bowl and whisk until they are mixed.

4. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until combined.

5. Add the apples and any loose flour from the bottom of the bowl and stir.

6. Spray a one-quarter cup measure with cooking spray. Divide the batter equally among the muffin pan. Each cup should be about 3/4 full.

7. Bake for about 21 minutes to 24 minutes, or until tops are domed and puffed. Insert a toothpick into the center of one muffin and see if it comes out clean to see if the muffins are ready. Allow the muffins to cool for 10 minutes to 15 minutes.

8. Optional: before serving, drizzle the muffins with caramel sauce.

This next recipe called Chocolate Turtle Apple Slices is a fairly simple one that is especially popular with kids, but many adolescents (like myself) love it as well.

Ingredients:

• 2 very large apples

• 3 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (Nestle is a popular brand)

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

• 1 cup caramels melted

• Chopped pecans

• Popsicle sticks

How to Prepare:

1. Slice apples into 1/2 inch pieces (remove seeds if preferred). With a knife, make a little slit in the bottom of each apple slice to make it easier to insert a popsicle stick.

2. Melt chips in the microwave on high for about 2 minutes. Stir in coconut oil until smooth.

3. Dip apple slices in chocolate and place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

4. Place caramels in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 45-60 seconds. Stir until smooth. Drizzle melted caramel over chocolate and sprinkle with nuts.

5. Refrigerate for about 1 hour. Serve and enjoy immediately.

Lastly, an all-time favorite dessert my family anxiously awaits to prepare every fall is apple crisps, and to top it off, we layer it with vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients:

• 10 cups of apples, peeled, cored and sliced

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 cup quick-cooking oats

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

How to Prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Place the sliced apples in a 9-by-13 inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and ground cinnamon together and sprinkle it over the apples. Pour water evenly over everything.

3. Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.

4. Bake at 350 F for about 45 minutes.

5. Spoon the warm crumble into bowls. Serve with ice cream.

Invite some friends over or spend a day with family and enjoy the smell of juicy apples and the process of turning simple apples into something delicious for all. Not only can apples be fun, but they can also help improve your health. Have fun baking!