Homemade Apple Crisp...a Fall Must-Have!

With Thanksgiving less than 24-hours away I am sure more than just a few of us have food on the brain; especially pies...pumpkin pies...apple pies...pecan pies...the list goes on. However, I am over here like "where's the apple crisp?" Am I right? I mean fall and apples go together like turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, wine and well, food! 

This Thanksgiving surprise your friends and family with apple crisp in addition to pie; I am not suggesting you give up the pie...let's not get crazy here. 

Below is my recipe for delicious homemade apple crisp. 

Hot Chocolate Recipes...Spiking is Optional!

This weekend was windy and rainy and it just felt like a stay inside and whip up some hot cocoa kind of weekend...so, that is what I did. True to Mavelle style I ditched the store bought packets and decided to get a little creative...I even made my own whipped cream. I came up with 3 different versions and turned my husband into a hot chocolate guinea pig. The steps for each recipe are similar and they are all fairly easy to make. 

Crock-Pot Macaroni & Cheese...The Perfect Recipe for Your Super Bowl Party!

Looking for a last minute recipe idea? How about something that is easy, delicious and can serve a whole group of rowdy football fans? Below is my recipe for homemade crock-pot Mac & Cheese...I mean, who doesn't love Mac & Cheese?

Homemade Applesauce!

Let me start off by painting a picture for your imagination...
It is gloomy and chilly outside, you just put on one of those made-for-TV holiday movies (oh, come on, you know you secretly enjoy them), you are curled up on the couch with your coziest blanket (in our home there are a couple of furry children in this scene as well), maybe you have even lit some holiday scented candles. Now, it is time to enjoy a snack that fits this perfectly lazy fall afternoon...homemade applesauce!

Does anything else say "it's Fall" better than this?

All recipes are created by Jenna unless stated otherwise! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Serves 10

Prep Time: 25 Minutes 

Cook Time: 60 minutes at minimum 

What you will need:

Apples - 10 (or 10 cups; generally, 1 apple will equal 1 cup once cut up) 

(I used Green Apples from my friends orchard but Honey Crisp are the sweetest and the best)

Cinnamon Stick - 1

Ground Cinnamon - 2 1/2 TSP 

All Spice - 1/2 TSP

Raw Organic Sugar - 1/4 Cup (if you use Honey Crisp Apples you could use less sugar (about half of that) because these apples are naturally sweet and delicious)

Let's Get Started:

1) Wash apples, cut off bottoms and tops or use an apple core remover 

2) Use a vegetable peeler to remover about 90% of skin (less or more depending on    your preference)

3) Cut the apples in half, and then cut the halves in half

4) Put apples into your pot with ingredients (cinnamon, all spice and sugar)

5) Mix it all up until the apples are coated in all that yumminess

6) Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes

7) Stir and throw in 1 cinnamon stick. Then turn stove down to simmer/low and continue to cook for about an hour.

8) Stir with a whisk. At this point the apples should be soft enough to break down easily but by using a whisk stay a bit chunky.

9) Remove from heat and let cool at room temperature.

Now, not only does your house smell absolutely delicious but you are also ready to enjoy a healthy homemade snack on a perfect fall day! 

Or, if you are like my husband, you can turn this healthy snack into a sweet treat by pouring the applesauce over vanilla ice cream. It tastes like apple pie without the crust...a great and healthy substitute for pie this holiday season.  

Cheers to Lazy Fall Afternoons (on the weekends of course)!

XO,

Jenna

Share your favorite cheesy made-for-TV holiday movie by commenting below!