Autumn is apple season, especially in Amish Country, but who says you have to wait until fall to enjoy delicious apple desserts?
Various Amish communities are centered around specific types of farming such as wheat, corn, tobacco, and soybeans. And some farms are more centered around apple orchards. Apple season on an Amish farm brings the whole family together. Between apple picking, peeling & pressing, chopping & dicing, everyone pitches in.
Orchard at Honey Run in Millersburg OH and Hillcrest Orchards in Walnut Creek OH are just two local orchards where you can pick apples. There are usually bushels of apples and fresh apple cider at many of the Amish roadside produce stands. (Tip: Try Hershberger's Farm & Bakery in Millersburg: https://www.discoverholmescounty.com/)
I recently hosted dinner for my boyfriend's family and I made a couple of recipes from a website I found containing more Amish recipes than you can shake a stick at. Even though it's spring, I made a Winter Harvest Pork Roast and for dessert, an Amish Apple Goody. Goody doesn't even begin to describe this dessert, which is basically an apple crisp; the best apple crisp I've ever had. Plus, it's easy and relatively quick!
Now, you can peel, core, slice, and dice your apples by hand OR you can use this handy suction cup apple peeler from Lehman's: https://www.lehmans.com/product/apple-express-suction-cup-peeler/. This cores, peels & slices all at once and is worth every penny (plus, it's kinda fun!) You'll never peel an apple with a knife again! I used 8-10 apples for my Apple Goody and whizzed right through them!
You can use your apple peels & cores for many things too, so don't throw those away! You can make apple cider vinegar, use them in your garden, add them to oatmeal or smoothies, or just give them to your chickens as a treat.
You can use any kind of apple, really. Gala and Granny Smith are probably the most common when it comes to apple pies & crisps, but I had Pink Lady and Honeycrisp on hand so I used both of those and the combination was sooo good.
Once you have your apples peeled, cored, sliced & diced, add them to a bowl and throw in 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour (I used all-purpose), 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Here's where you can take some creative liberties: I added a little allspice, a few dashes of nutmeg and cloves, and just a tad more cinnamon than the recipe calls for.
Anyway, give that a good stir, but gently; you don't want to be too hard on those beautiful apple chunks! Once all your apples are coated in yummy goodness, butter a 9 x 13" casserole dish and spread the mixture evenly in the bottom.
In another bowl, mix 1 cup oats, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/3 teaspoon baking powder, and 2/3 cup softened butter. Stir this until the butter is fully incorporated, then spread the crumbly mixture overtop and apples and pop it in a 350 oven for 30-45 minutes, depending on how brown you like your crust. I left mine in for 40 minutes; the apple mixture was bubbling around all the edges and the crust came out a nice golden brown. Perfect!
This is best served warm with a dollop (or in my case, a large spoonful) of fresh whipped cream Or ice cream. Or, if you're dairy-free, this dessert is excellent on its own as well.
Happy eating and stay tuned for more Amish recipes!
The link to the recipe can be found here: https://www.amish365.com/delicious-amish-apple-goody/