๐๐ A Few of the Best Apples For Baking๐๐
Fall is nearly here, and I am so happy. Fall is my favorite time of year. A popular fruit this time of year is the apple and there are so many fantastic things you can make with apples.
I would love to make some recipes that include apples, but I never know what type of apple I should use because they are not all created equal. I had read somewhere that the best apples for baking are the ones that keep their structure and don’t turn to mush in the baking process.
If I were to go to the grocery store to select apples for a recipe, I would tend to pick what I thought was the prettiest apple and not make an informed decision base on specific apples. With that in mind, I decided to do some research to find the best apple to use for fall recipes that include apples. Let’s head to Google.
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One of the most popular baking apples, the classic Granny Smith puts the American in apple pie. It’s a tart and tangy apple with a firm flesh. If you like a splash of sweetness, pair it with some slices of Honeycrisp in your recipe.
One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anythingโincluding baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won’t cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie. But be ready to grab Honeycrisps; they’re only available for a few months in the fall.
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Pink Lady
Pink Ladies also known as Cripps Pinks are as crunchy and juicy as Honeycrisps, but definitely more tart. Equally great as a snack or baked, you can use them for just about anything. Theyโre another apple that doesnโt oxidize as quickly as others, so you can prep them ahead of time. Pink Lady apples have the longest growing season of all the common apples which is why they tend to be more expensive than most other apples.
Fuji
Firm, crisp, and juicy, Fuji apples are among the most popular apples for eating fresh, but they’re also great for baking, as they hold their shape when they cook.
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Gala
With a crisp bite and a mellow sweetness, the Gala complements any recipeโyou can even get away with using less sugar because of its natural sweetness. The crispness helps it retain its shape throughout baking so it doesn’t get mealy.
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I found a chart on Betty Crocker that lists the best apples for specific recipes, and here is what I found.
๐Red Delicious-Sauces, Cakes, Butter
๐Granny Smith-Pies, Crisps, Tarts
๐Honey Crisp-Pies, Tarts, Dumplings, Bars
๐Golden Delicious-Sauces, Cakes, butter
๐Pink Lady-Pies, Cakes, Breads, Bars
I hope this helps you find the perfect apple for any baking needs you may have this fall. I hope to make an apple pie and maybe an apple crisp.
Happy Baking Everyone!
KathieyV