My Favorite Fall Recipes

We went to an apple orchard a few weekends ago and walked away with a 1/2 bushel of Cortland apples. I like apples, but that's A LOT of apples for our family to eat. I didn't want them to go to waste, so I hit the ground web running for apple recipe inspiration. Here's a few recipes that were big wins in our house and definitely worth making again:

Crock-Pot Applesauce
Cut up 15 medium-size apples and throw them in the slow cooker with a little sugar, water and cinnamon. That's it! This homemade applesauce recipe was such a hit with the kids (especially with Aden) that I made three batches. It had a nice sweet flavor without being too overpowering and just enough cinnamon to make it taste like fall. I put a portion of the applesauce in the refrigerator for immediate consumption and froze the rest in freezer bags for later.

Hey, look! I finally learned to peel apples with a knife. My mother will be so proud.

Jodi asked me on Instagram if the applesauce burned to the sides of the Crock-Pot as the applesauce cooked and my answer was 'no' for every time I made this recipe. I cooked my apples on low for about nine hours.

Apple Crisp Muffins
It's hard to go wrong with an Iowa Girl Eats recipe, and these Apple Crisp Muffins are no exception. The recipe came together quick and easy, though it didn't use up much of my apple supply. Also, the recipe only made 12 muffins which was a good thing because the muffins turned soggy by Day 4 or so sitting on my countertop. That said - deliciousness in a muffin cup. Aden and Tory both gobbled these right up.

Quick and Easy Apple Crisp
I whipped together this apple crisp recipe for an after-dinner dessert one evening. I like to believe this is what keeps the magic alive in my marriage -- unexpected treats. Andi's got a sweet tooth like no other. This recipe was just as quick and easy as the recipe claimed, and the best part was that it called for ingredients I already had on hand. No planning necessary.

Festive Halloween Sugar Cookies
I had a craving for sugar cookies last week so I made a batch of festive Halloween ones. I asked Tory to help me, then quickly remembered sugar cookies are the WORST recipe to make with a preschool-age assistant. Nooo! Don't touch that exquisitely cut-out dough shape!

As if there was any question in my mind, this batch confirmed it -- this recipe makes the best-tasting sugar cookies ever. I think it's the almond extract that makes the flavor sing for me. They're so fluffy and delicious, and basically why I should never make sugar cookies because I can't help myself from eating one after another.

Crock-Pot Apple Butter
I thought apple butter might be something different for my dairy-free baby boy to eat on toast. This was my first time making this recipe and it turned out perfectly. I cooked the apples on low to prevent scorching in the slow cooker.

Apple Cider Pancakes with Maple Cider Syrup
I made these pancakes last year and they were so, so worth it. Delicious apple-y spin on breakfast. This recipe is on my meal plan list one morning this week.

Dinner in a Pumpkin
I'm dying to make this casserole recipe again this year. My mother-in-law, Janie, served it last Halloween for dinner and it was so festive and comforting.

What are some of your favorite fall recipes?