photo by southernpixel

Apple season will peak soon. With a couple thousand varieties, it can be tough to sort out which apples are best for baking, snacking or freezing. Here’s a handy chart to help: www.usapple.org/consumers/appleguide/variety.cfm. Apple desserts are often requested, so I’m sharing three that you’re going to love baking this autumn. Enjoy!

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1/4 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shortening
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups cooking apples, shredded and peeled

Sauce
In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups sugar, water, butter, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to boil, boil for 5 minutes, and set aside.

Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until pea size. Make well in center. Add milk all at once. Stir just until moistened. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until nearly smooth. Roll out to 12-by-10-inch rectangle.

Filling
Combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; set aside. Sprinkle apples evenly over dough. Sprinkle with sugar mixture. Roll dough into spiral, starting from a long side. Pinch seam to seal. Cut into twelve 1-inch-thick pieces. Place in 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Pour sauce over dumplings. Bake in a 350 F oven about 50 minutes or until golden. — Nancy, Virginia

Kuchen

3 cups sliced apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup sugar
1 cup melted butter
2 beaten eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups flour
1 cup sour cream
1 egg
cinnamon and sugar, desired amount.

Mix together first four ingredients, and set aside. Combine sugar and butter. Mix in eggs, vanilla, salt, baking powder and flour. Spread the batter into a 9-by-13-inch pan. Add the apple mixture evenly on top. Whisk together 1 cup sour cream and one egg. Drizzle over top, and top that with cinnamon sugar. Bake 350 F for 30 to 35 minutes — Michelle-Lea, Kentucky

Apple Bars

2-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, chilled
2/3 cup milk
1 egg yolk, reserve egg white
1 cup crushed cornflakes cereal
8 cups thinly sliced apples
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
reserved egg white
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Glaze
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Cut in the butter until mixture is mealy. With a fork, stir in the milk and egg yolk. Divide dough into two equal parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece of dough into a large rectangle. Place on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Sprinkle cereal over the crust, then layer the apples over the cereal. Stir together the 1 cup of white sugar and the 1-1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon and nutmeg; sprinkle over the apple layer. Roll out the other half of the dough, and cover everything in the pan. Brush top crust with the reserved egg white, and sprinkle with a mixture of 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Top crust should be lightly browned. Mix together confectioners’ sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth; drizzle over bars while they are still warm. — Debra, Nebraska

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