4 Apple Inspired Desserts Just in Time for Apple Picking Season

First Published August 2021. Updated October, 2022

There's no shortage of tasty ways to enjoy fresh autumn apples. From apple crisps, cobblers and pies to apple tarts, doughnuts and cakes (including apple cheesecake!), fall's favorite fruit is a versatile ingredient in delightful array of yummy desserts.

We've got 4 apple dessert recipes to die for: Apple Caramel Cheesecake, Applesauce Doughnuts, Caramel Apple Crisp, and Apple Cider Bourbon Bundt® Cake. And of course, all the tools to help you speed up prep time, along with the bakeware to ensure perfectly baked results every time.

Tools to help trim prep time.

Apple desserts are delicious but the peeling, coring, slicing and fussing can be daunting. We've assembled a few of our favorite apple tools to help  cut down on your prep time.

OXO Apple Corer

Whether you need to core apples for pie, tarts, crisps, cake or applesauce, the OXO Good Grips Apple Corer helps cut down on your prep time. The stainless steel corer glides easily though an apple or pear to remove the core cleanly, and the core is easily removed from the tool with a simple shake. A soft handle absorbs pressure so your hands don't have to.  SHOP →

Core & Slice In One Motion.

The Thin Apple Slicer from Progressive makes easy work of coring and slicing apples. Have delicious apple slices in just three easy steps...simply, push, flip, and pop! Place an apple stem side down and push the Thin Apple Slicer blades through the apple. Then flip the protective cover underneath the apple and pop out the slices of apple.  SHOP →

The All-In-One Apple Peeling Machine.

Make quick work of slicing and peeling apples with the Apple Peeling Machine. This amazing machine, peels, cores and slices apples all at the same time. The suction base adds stability.  SHOP →

The Versatile Food Mill.

The OXO Good Grips Food Mill is the perfect tool for preparing fresh purees, sauces, soups and more. It has a stainless steel inner bowl that is ideal for hot foods and will not stain, and it includes 3 stainless steel grinding discs for fine, medium and coarse textures. We think it's time you tried homemade applesauce.  SHOP →

Try This Apple Cider Bourbon Bundt® Cake Recipe

With a prep time under 20 minutes, this Apple Cider Bourbon Cake recipe (courtesy of Nordic Ware) is sure to win a place in your recipe index! The bourbon and apple cider create great flavor without much fuss or prep time.

Serve slightly warm with vanilla ice cream and don't be surprised when they ask for another piece.

Apple Cider Bourbon Bundt Cake

Courtesy of NordicWare (This recipe calls for a 10-cup Bundt® pan, a 12-cup will work just as well. )

Prep Time: 15 minutes  |  Cook Time: 45 Minutes |  Servings: 10 to 12

INGREDIENTS:

For the Cake:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup bourbon*

For the Syrup:

• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• Sugar Spice Topping:
• 2 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Prepare a 10-12 cup Nordic Ware Bundt® Pan with baking spray containing flour and use a pastry brush to evenly coat the designs of the pan.
3. With an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, blending until smooth.
4. In medium bowl, whisk spices, salt, baking powder, baking soda and flour together. Slowly add flour mixture alternately with cider and bourbon to butter mixture and mix until blended.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan, filling only 3⁄4 full. Gently tap pan on towel covered counter to remove air bubbles.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes until cake tester comes out clean. While cake is baking, prepare syrup.

For the Syrup:

1. In small saucepan pan, heat apple cider and bourbon over medium heat to a simmer. Stir occasionally and simmer for about 10 minutes.
2. When cake is done baking, cool in pan 10 minutes before inverting cake onto a cooling rack. Poke holes into cake with toothpick while cake is still warm and brush syrup onto cake. Reserve about 3 Tbsp of syrup.
3. Cover cooled cake with plastic wrap and let sit overnight.
4. For sugar spice topping, whisk sugar and spices in a small bowl. Before serving, brush remaining syrup over cake and sprinkle with sugar spice topping.

*Apple Cider Only Option: Replace bourbon with apple cider.

Trusted Bakeware.

Nordic Ware ProForm Anniversary Bundt® Cake Pan 

Nordic Ware's most famous pan is a classic shape that's perfect for special occasions or everyday use. The ProForm Anniversary 12-Cup Bundt® Pan is a lightweight, formed aluminum version of the famous cast aluminum Bundt® pan. The PFOA-free nonstick coating allows for easy release and effortless cleanup. Proudly made in the USA. SHOP →

Freiling Springform Pan

The Tin-Plated Springform Pan is manufactured by Frieling's Zenker brand, a long-established German producer of pro-quality, traditional bakeware.

The disk base and removable walls are made from durable, even-heating carbon steel with a shiny tin coating to prevent rust and staining. The interlocking base and side walls form a reliable press-fit when the clasp is engaged, so even cheesecake batters and other loose mixtures will not leak. The waffled surface increases the release performance to un-pan cheesecakes, quiches, sponge and other bakes cleanly. Available in 3 sizes (8", 9" & 10").  SHOP →

Fat Daddio's Bakeware

Fat Daddio's 10" Pie Pan features anodized aluminum construction for improved durability, even-baking performance, and reliable non-stick properties. Perfect for desserts and savory pot pies. The anodized aluminum construction transfers heat very evenly and is temperature rated up to 550°F. Hand wash recommended.  SHOP →

Fat Daddio's Tart Pans are a classic, easy-to use design that helps you un-pan delicate tarts with professional results. But Fat Daddio's anodized aluminum construction also improves durability and even-baking performance along with reliable non-stick properties! This collection of bake ware features fluted "rings" for decorative, stable crusts, and removable sheet inserts that bake and brown consistently. The bottom insert also provides stable support for lifting tarts free of the fluted ring.  SHOP →

More Apple-icious Recipes For You To Enjoy from Host the Toast.

These 3 recipes are from our resident blogger, Morgan over at our sister blog Host The Toast. Pictured from left to right.

Easy Applesauce Drop Doughnuts with Caramel Glaze will be ready in an hour from start to finish. This no-fuss recipe is full or flavor and perfect for parties. I wanna read more →

For those who don't mind a bit of a challenge try Morgan's Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake with Apple Roses. While the prep time alone is an hour this showstopper is worth the effort, in taste and style! I wanna read more →

Who doesn't just love apple crisp? Juicy apples flavored with cinnamon and  covered in crunchy, sweet, buttery oat crumble topping is a crowd pleaser. Host the Toast's Caramel Apple Crisp will not disappoint. With a prep time of only 30 minutes you'll be topping your warm-from-the-oven crisp with ice cream before you know it! Show me the recipe →

What are you waiting for? Get out there and pick a peck of tree-ripe apples and bake someone happy!

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