apple picking + baking

Last Tuesday we loaded up the #martinbandofbrothers + Sadie girl, Haley & Honey and headed to Hendersonville to pick apples. Just a heads up - if you want the place to yourselves, go on a Tuesday at the end of September! We had to walk a-ways to get to the good apples, but that was OK. After tromping around the grounds for a while & loading our cart to the brim (we ended up with 32# of apples), we made our way back to the barn for apple cider donuts & apple cider slushies (a-hem, this may have been my reason for wanting to go). 

We came home from the orchard with the kids and they were pooped, so we planned to bake the apples the next day. The boys & I went to Ft. Inn to Honey's house and Haley & I made 2 apple pies + a double batch of applesauce. We've still got tons of apples, so I'm searching for new recipes to make something yummy with them -- please share if you have something that you love! (: 

homemade applesauce

Homemade (chunky) applesauce

I found this recipe and have made it a few times... it is so delicious! (and healthy)

Ingredients:
 9 apples (I use 9 of the same kind of apples..but you can mix 'em up and use different kinds)
2 TBS sugar (OR 3 TBS splenda)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup water
lemon juice (from one lemon OR 1 TBS lemon juice)
*Optional: 1 cinnamon stick

Preparation:

Peel the apples and slice them. Quarter the slices.

Pour them into the crock pot.

Pour lemon juice over apples. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top.

Add 1/3 cup water.

Stir well.

Directions:

Cook on low for about 6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

(apples will be mushy--once you open the crock pot, stir well.)

Let cool before you put them in a container. I use a mason jar--it keeps them fresh in the 'fridge!

Store in fridge up to 2 weeks...or freeze it!