It’s that time of year again: days are steadily getting shorter, the leaves on trees will soon be changing, and sweater weather is around the corner. It’s apple picking season!

You know what that means…

Apple pie, apple sauce, apple chips, apple butter, apple streusel, apple everything.

While there’s much to love about bringing home a giant bag of apples, sometimes we end up with so many that we don’t know what to do with them. So they sit there, on the counter, slowly softening until we decide they don’t look good enough to eat anymore---so we throw them away.

Little do people know that there are actually plenty of ways to turn your leftover soft and bruised apples into delicious new creations. 

Here are three oh-so comforting apple recipes that deliver more taste, less waste and all the pre-fall feels.

Healthy apple sauce recipe

Snack time just got even more delicious with Chef Cuisto’s healthy, homemade apple sauce recipe (the kids will really love this one!).

Ingredients

• 8-10 apples, washed
• ¼ cup (65 ml) fresh water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut apples into quarters and remove seeds. (Don’t forget to save your peels!)
2. In a large pot, add your sliced apples and the rest of your ingredients. Bring to a boil.
3. Lower the heat and let simmer for 25-30 minutes.
4. Pour your apple mixture into a stand blender* or use an immersion blender to purée your apples until your reach your desired consistency.

*If using a stand blender to purée, make sure to hold the lid tightly closed since blending hot foods creates pressure and can cause the lid to pop off.

Comforting apple tea recipe

Chilly nights call for curling up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket and this warming apple tea from Tasty. Tastes great straight up or with an extra splash whisky for a makeshift Hot Toddy. Makes two 8 oz cups.

Ingredients

• Peels from 3 medium apples, washed
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tsp sugar or maple syrup

Instructions

1. Add peel in a small pot of boiling water with the cinnamon stick and sugar.
2. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. Strain out the peels and enjoy!

Decadent maple & apple butter recipe

Sweeten up your mornings with Rougemont’s silky smooth apple butter recipe. Perfect to lather on toast or muffins.

Ingredients

• 8 McIntosh apples, peeled, cored and diced
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup cold butter, cubed

Instructions 

1. In a pan on medium-low heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter and add apples. Leave for 15 minutes or until apples become soft, stirring occasionally for an even cook.
2. Add maple syrup and let sit 5 minutes until syrup has reduced to about half.
3. In a blender, add cooked apple mixture and purée while slowly incorporating the rest of the butter.
4. Keep in the fridge for 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.  

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