Apple Recipes

We have an abundance of apples at our house right now. Besides making applesauce, here's what I've been doing with them, (sorry, no pics!).

Apple Pie
For the crust:
1 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
1/3 c. shortening
1/2 t. vinegar
1 egg yolk
3 Tbsp. milk

Combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening until the mixture looks like tiny crumbs. Add vinegar, egg yolk, and milk. I mix this whole thing together with a fork. (secret: I've never owned a pastry blender! Not for not wanting one though.) Form into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 min before rolling out. Meanwhile make the filling.

For the filling:
4 c. apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 c. sugar
3 Tbsp. flour
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/8 t. nutmeg
1/8 t. salt

Combine sugar, flour and spices. Add apples and stir well. Pour into prepared crust.

For the topping:
1 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened

Combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter. Crumble over pie. Bake the pie at 375 for 1 hour. Cover with foil to prevent over-browning if needed. Note: If you're not lucky enough to have your own apple tree, my favorite apples to buy for this pie are Jonagolds.

Apple Cake
From the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook
2/3 c. flour
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt

Lightly coat a 9-inch round baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside. Mix together above ingredients and set aside.

1 1/2 c. finely chopped, peeled apples
1 egg
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. applesauce

Combine apples and egg. Stir in sugar and applesauce. Add dry ingredients from above and mix well. Pour into prepared pan and add the following topping.

1 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. butter, softened

Combine flour(s) sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter and crumble over cake. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving. This is soooo yummy for breakfast!

Yummy Yams

I'm sure that most of you have a recipe similar to this, but for those who don't.....I hated yams growing up. We only ever had them at Thanksgiving, and I couldn't figure out why in the world they were a once a year "treat". I thought they were nasty. Of course, we had the canned kind with marshmallows on top. But, in the last few years, my sister has been making this yummy concoction, and once again, it has been proven that fresh is better. These yams are so good that last year my husband actually said he would refuse to go to Thanksgiving dinner if these yams weren't on the menu. So thanks, sis, for bringing the fam together!

6 c. cooked yams, mashed (3-4 depending on size)
1 1/2 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 t. vanilla

Combine mashed yams with sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan.

1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
1/3 c. butter
1 c. chopped pecans

Mix together until crumbly and sprinkle over potatoes.
Cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.