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Apple season is upon us, which means it’s time to get sweet and cinnamon-y. From pies and tarts to crisps and crumbles, apples and apple-picking inspire classic favorites and modern twists. So if you’re wondering what to make for that back-to-school potluck, Labor Day picnic or barbecue, here’s some apple inspiration: Five awesome, easy-to-make desserts that will wow your guests.
1 Marie-Helene’s Apple Cake
This simple yet delicious recipe, which comes from Paris editor and restaurant critic Marie-Helene Brunet-Lhoste, uses four large apples of your choice and gets its depth from three tablespoons of dark rum. Serve it slightly warm with a scoop or two of your favorite ice cream. May we suggest vanilla or snickerdoodle?
2 Luscious Apple Pie
Apple cider gives this quintessential pie its luscious flavor and gobs of cream cheese and butter its decadent, flaky crust. Cookbook author Rose Levy Birnbaum shares her nifty kneading technique, too, alternating the heel and knuckles of your hand, until the mixture holds together in one glorious piece. Make ahead and heat just before serving.
3 Apple Crisp
A mix of Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples is ideal for this easy, crowd-pleasing crisp. Eat Drink Play writer and restaurant critic Jennifer Graue suggests baking this quick crisp in an 8- or 9-inch pie plate, but tiny individual ramekins are also a great option to set out on a table for guests or tuck into a large Tupperware and transport to a potluck.
4 Apple Whisky Cake
Prefer your apples with a shot of whiskey? Look no further than Kim Laidlaw’s spiked apple cake from her William Sonoma cookbook, “Home Baked Comfort” (Weldon Owen, 2012). You can swap out the whiskey for bourbon or brandy and use whatever apples you have on hand, though Laidlaw is partial to Pink Lady, Rome Beauty, Gravenstein and Cortland varieties. Serving this one away from home? Cool, then cut into squares and wrap in plastic. Bring whipped cream for topping.
5 Olallieberry-Apple Crisp
Equal parts ollalieberries and apples gives this crumbly crisp its gorgeous color and sweet, slightly tart flavor. If you can’t find olallieberries, regular blackberries or even blueberries work splendidly, especially with the welcome tang of orange juice concentrate (it’s OK, we won’t tell). Just pack your oats-mix on top of the berry-apple mixture, bake for an hour, and voila. Quick dessert heaven.
