Easy Apple Recipes for the Harvest

October is finally here and signs of fall surround us indicating that it is Harvest Time. The Harvest begins after the full moon, or Harvest Moon, that falls closest to the Autumn Equinox (approx. Sept 22nd). Sometimes this moon precedes the Autumn Equinox and sometimes it falls after.

The Harvest Moon is unique because it rises after sunset unlike most full moons that rise at sunset. This only happens twice a year, once with the Harvest Moon and once with the Hunter's Moon (the first full moon after the Harvest Moon).

To celebrate the Harvest many people make preserves and jams, but since I love apples so much and they are so plentiful this time of year I have a few favorite apple recipes I want to share. I hope you enjoy!

Homemade Applesauce

24 tart apples
1 lemon - juiced
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
4 tsp. cinnamon

First you need to core and peel the apples. Next dice the apples in to small chunks and place in a large sauce pan. Add lemon juice, water, and sugar. Heat on high until boiling and then reduce the heat so that the mixture is simmering. Cover and cook for 30 minutes until the apples are soft. Add cinnamon and stir.

The harder your stir the smoother your applesauce, so if you prefer a chunky applesauce stir the mixture lightly.

Pour into Mason Jars, seal, and decorate for festive Harvest gifts for your friends and family.

Apple Butter

Homemade apple butter is my favorite part of Harvest time. I prefer to make it from homemade applesauce (see recipe above) but you can just as easily substitute any store bought applesauce as well. It just may not taste as sweet!

I like to butter mine on toast but it can also be enjoyed as a dip for fruit, a spread for any bread or cake. In fact you can spread it on just about anything for an extra boost of sweetness.

4 quarts of applesauce
1 cups apple cider
1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tbsp ground cloves
1/2 tbsp nutmeg
1 1/2 cups sugar (more if you like really sweet apple butter)

Place applesauce in Crockpot (5 qts preferably). Add cider, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, and sugar. Set to low, and cover. Let applesauce cook for 9 hours.

Stir the mixture and recover. Let the applesauce simmer on low until it has become thick and dark, apple butter.

The apple butter is now ready for canning, eating, and sharing with friends and friends for the Harvest. You can give them in mason jars as you did the applesauce.

Caramel Apples

1 package caramels
6 red apples with stems removed
6 popsicle sticks

Melt the caramels slowly in a double boiler over medium heat until they are runny in consistency. Carefully push popsicle sticks into the top of the apples and dip them into the hot caramel. Make sure to cover the entire apple with caramel sauce. Place apples, stick up, on wax paper and store in refrigerator until the caramel has hardened.

You can now wrap the caramel apples with saran wrap (or other decorative non-stick wrap) and tie with a ribbon and they are ready for Harvest gift giving.