Crisp & Juicy Apple Recipes

Fall’s favorite fruit teams up with a little sugar and spice for a Southern roll call of irresistible treats–from caramel apple muffins to pecan pie cobbler.

Apples are a scrumptious fall fruit, and nothing is better on a cool autumn evening than a delicious, warm dessert. Here are more than a hundred apple recipes—more than one for every day of the season—apple pies, apple puffs, apple cakes, apple fantans, and more. These apple recipes each share a passion for this fabulous fruit. Enjoy a Caramel Apple Coffee Cake with a cup of your favorite brew, or try a Blackberry-Apple Pie. If you prefer your apples on the side, Roasted Apple and Parsnips, or Marian’s Apple Fennel Salad, would be mouthwatering apple recipes to try. However you slice it, these apple recipes have just the right appeal.

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Crisp & Juicy Apple Recipes

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Caramel Apple Cake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Caramel Apple Cake

This cake is topped with sauteed apple slices and drizzled in a delicious Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce.

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Apple Bread Pudding

Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Apple Bread Pudding

Serve this family-style from a baking dish, or divide with a 3-inch round cutter for an elegant presentation. Top it all off with Sautéed Apples and a drizzle of Apple Brandy Crème Anglaise for a spectacular finish.

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Double Apple Pie with Cornmeal Crust

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Double Apple Pie with Cornmeal Crust

This pie is packed with apple flavor! Apple jelly adds richness to the filling, and apple cider adds even more flavor in the flaky cornmeal crust.

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Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

This delicious apple Bundt cake features a sweet cream cheese filling and decadent Praline Frosting. For extra crunch, garnish with additional toasted pecans.

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Easy Skillet Apple Pie

Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Easy Skillet Apple Pie

Making an apple pie has never been so easy. Simply toss apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar, and spoon over a refrigerated pie crust in the cast-iron skillet. Top with the other crust and bake.

Watch: Easy Skillet Apple Pie

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Easy Apple Butter

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Easy Apple Butter

This spread is autumn's sweetest sensation, stealing the show as a condiment and lending rich flavor to some our favorite fall recipes.

Test Kitchen Tip: Use a wooden spoon to draw a line through the apple butter on the bottom of the pot; if the line holds for 5 seconds before the apple butter merges back together, it's finished cooking.

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Apple Butter-Walnut Thumbprints

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple Butter-Walnut Thumbprints

For these simple, fall treats, use our Easy Apple Butter for the best flavor and texture. In a pinch, store-bought apple butter that has been boiled for 5 minutes (to thicken) may be substituted.

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Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

Caramelized apples are artfully arranged on top of this rich and delicious cheesecake for a perfect dessert.

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Apple Butter-and-Cheddar Puffs

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple Butter-and-Cheddar Puffs

To get ahead, make these appetizers through Step 2 and freeze up to 1 month. Go straight to the oven from freezer; simply add 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time.

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Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

This delicious apple bundt cake features a sweet cream cheese filling and homemade praline frosting. Garnish the frosting with extra toasted pecans.

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Apple-Cinnamon Dutch Baby

Recipe: Apple-Cinnamon Dutch Baby

Straight from the oven, this puffy, airy pancake will elicit major oohs and aahs from your crowd. Be sure to use low-fat or fat-free milk--the pancake will puff higher. Like a soufflé, it will begin to deflate as soon as it leaves the oven, though that won't affect the flavor.

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Cranberry-Apple Pie with Pecan Shortbread Crust

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cranberry-Apple Pie with Pecan Shortbread Crust

Savor the flavors of cranberries and apples as they come together with a holiday favorite—pecan shortbread—in this stunning presentation.

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Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Pie

Use slightly firm pears and crisp, tart apples here to achieve the best texture in the filling, and let this mountainous pie cool and settle for at least two hours before serving.

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Apple-Pecan Carrot Cake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple-Pecan Carrot Cake

Top a showstopping crown of Mascarpone Frosting with swirls of Apple Cider Caramel Sauce and a scattering of salty-sweet Spiced Pecans. Caramel sauce, rather than fosting, sandwiches together the moist cake layers.

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Caramel Apple Blondie Pie

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Southern-Style Caramel Apples

Branch out and get creative with some of our favorite caramel apple toppings. We used Southern magnolia twigs; other branches may render the apples inedible. When in doubt, use craft sticks or large pretzel sticks.

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Brussels Sprouts with Apples

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Apples

If you’re not a fan of Brussels sprouts, you will be soon. This colorful side dish is a Thanksgiving favorite, but we also enjoy it for weeknight suppers with quick-cooking Parmesan Turkey Cutlets.

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Smoked Trout-Apple Hash

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Smoked Trout-Apple Hash

Equally at home on your stove or over a campfire, this fragrant skillet breakfast pulls double duty for dinner with a green salad. Try substituting sweet potatoes for russets and your favorite tart apple for Granny Smith. Other smoked fish like bluefish or whitefish also work well here. If using thinly sliced smoked salmon, cut into pieces and drape over hash just before serving.

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Apple Flatbread

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple Flatbread

Bake store-bought pizza dough to make a convenient and versatile canvas for apples, cheese, and herbs. Serve as appetizers or the main course.

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Apple-Spice Pancakes

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Apple-Spice Pancakes

Save leftover Apple Cider Syrup for drizzling over vanilla ice cream.

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Applesauce Pie

Recipe: Applesauce Pie

Everyone loves apple pie, especially fresh from the oven on a chilly fall day. You can make this easy applesauce filling up to a week ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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Blackberry-Apple Upside-Down Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Blackberry-Apple Upside-Down Cake

Tart blackberries and sweet apples caramelize perfectly with layers of buttery cake in this one-pan dessert.

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Fresh Apple Cake

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Fresh Apple Cake

Thinly sliced apples create rich, moist layers of fruit within the cake. Frost it with Browned-Butter Frosting (pictured), Dark Chocolate Frosting, or Cream Cheese Frosting.

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Upside-Down Apple Tart

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Upside-Down Apple Tart

Make a simple, rustic apple tart with Granny Smith apples plus a few other ingredients you probably already have on hand: flour, butter, and salt.

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Caramel Apple Ice-Cream Tarts

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple Ice Cream-Tarts

This shortbread crust is the perfect foil for ice cream.

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Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Apple and caramel are simple ingredients, but when combined they form a delectable treat. Top off these cupcakes with toasted pecans to create a traditional fall favorite. We love to add the tiny crab apples as a garnish for extra-special occasions.

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Caramelized Onion-and-Apple Tassies

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Caramelized Onion-and-Apple Tassies

Be sure to press the cream cheese pastry dough all the way up the sides of the mini muffin cups so the tart shells will be deep enough to hold a generous amount of filling.

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Grill-Roasted Chicken

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Grill-Roasted Chicken

Grilling over the indirect heat of a two-zone fire mimics oven heat. An aromatic rack of early fall apples and vegetables catches all the chicken’s flavorful juices.

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Cider-Poached Shrimp with Jezebel Apple Salsa

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cider-Poached Shrimp with Jezebel Apple Salsa

Ready to move beyond the classic shrimp cocktail? We thought so! Hard cider (fermented apple juice) infuses the shrimp with a faint hint of sweetness and subtle fruitiness.

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Waldorf Cobb Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Waldorf Cobb Salad

This makes a company-perfect sidekick for anything roasted or grilled. The concentrated flavor of an apple cider reduction, plus a shot of sorghum syrup, add rich complexity, not just sweetness, to the Cider-Sorghum Vinaigrette.

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Apple, Lemon, and Gin Shandy

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple, Lemon, and Gin Shandy

This refreshing, citrusy drink goes from kitchen to cooler with ease.

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Apple-Cherry Cobbler with Pinwheel Biscuits

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Apple-Cherry Cobbler with Pinwheel Biscuits

Our twist on apple cobbler is both darling and delectable. Who could resist buttery biscuit dough rolled with almonds and brown sugar baked into a pretty pinwheel crust?

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Carrot, Apple, and Ginger Soup

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Carrot, Apple, and Ginger Soup

Sweet carrots go together perfectly with citrusy apple and ginger spice to make a warm, satisfying dish.

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Grilled Cheese and Apple Sandwiches

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Grilled Cheese and Apple Sandwiches

No panini press? Cook your sandwiches in a skillet 4 minutes on each side with a pan on top.

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Apple-Cabbage Slaw

Photo: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Apple Cabbage Slaw

This colorful, fresh side is the perfect complement to almost any entreé.

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Fennel-Apple Slaw

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Fennel-Apple Slaw

This vibrant seasonal salad is an ideal way to showcase your favorite apples—just be sure to use ones that are super crisp, tart, and sweet, and keep the peels on to add color and texture. Can't find fennel? Three ribs of thinly sliced celery make a good substitute in a pinch.

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Pork with Apples, Bacon, and Sauerkraut

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Pork with Apples, Bacon, and Sauerkraut

Thinly sliced pancetta (unsmoked Italian bacon cured with salt and spices) and a few quick twists of kitchen string turn an inexpensive pork loin into a party-worthy dish.

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Easy Cornbread-Sausage Stuffed Apples

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Easy Cornbread-Sausage Stuffed Apples

Cornbread stuffing mix jump-starts the fast filling for these savory baked apples. They make a simple, but impressive, all-in-one side dish.

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Applelicious Sandwiches

Photo: John O'Hagan

Recipe: Applelicious Sandwiches

Apples are an easy (and delicious) way to add extra goodness to simple sandwiches – from smoked turkey and Swiss to grilled Cheddar and bacon. Our latest favorite? Layer crisp sweet Gala apple slices with the peppery bite of arugula and a creamy blue cheese, honey, and walnut spread.

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Praline-Apple Bread

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Praline-Apple Bread

Sour cream is the secret to the rich, moist texture of this bread. There's no butter or oil in the batter―only in the glaze.

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Caramelized Apple Chips

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramelized Apple Chips

Add a sweet flourish to any dessert with these thin, crispy apple chips.

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Lemon-Apple Coleslaw

Recipe: Lemon-Apple Coleslaw

The crisp, sweet snap of Gala apples gives summery coleslaw a cool-weather update – perfect for backyard cookouts. Try it for supper with Toasted Pecan, Cranberry, and Gorgonzola Turkey Burgers or Barbecue Pork Sandwiches.

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Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Apples

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Apples

Feed the gang with one large 5- to 6-pound bird or two smaller ones. To achieve golden brown skin, first roast at high heat, then turn the oven temperature down to cook the chicken through. Serve with sweet potatoes and apples for a perfect finish.

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Apple Upside-Down Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Apple Upside-Down Pie

It tastes as good as its fun presentation. Pecans, apples and brown sugar shine in this upside-down pie.

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Caramel Apple Topping

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple Topping

Serve warm over cakes, ice cream, or brownies for a decadent dessert.

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Fried Collards and Apples

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Fried Collards and Apples

Fresh apples and apple cider vinegar give this classic Southern dish some extra pop.

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Grits Crostini with Caramelized Apples and Onions

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Grits Crostini

The sweet savory flavor of Caramelized Apples and Onions pair well with the baked crostini.

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Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt

The topping on this bundt—a maple glaze with sugared pecans and pumpkin seeds—will make your guests ooh and ahh.

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Tart Apple-and-Cabbage Toss

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Tart Apple-and-Cabbage Toss

Sauerkraut meets coleslaw in this vinegar-based salad, while the paper-thin apple slices and finely shredded cabbage add rich autumn color.

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Blackberry-Apple Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Blackberry-Apple Pie

This apple-and-berry-packed pie is extra-tasty because of the white-Cheddar cheese crust that provides a sigh-worthy companion for the sweet fruit filling.

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Fried Apple Biscuit

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fried Apple Biscuit

Thyme-Scented Fried Apples and pancetta piled high on a Sweet Potato Biscuit make an out-of-this-world combination!

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Roasted Green Bean, Apple, and Bacon Sandwiches

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Roasted Green Bean, Apple, and Bacon Sandwiches

A green bean and apple sandwich? Trust us on this one. We fell for the combo of tender beans, crisp apples, salty Parm, and tangy dressing. Keep it tidy by hollowing out the baguette to create a cradle for the fillings.

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Apple-Bourbon Turkey and Gravy

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Apple-Bourbon Turkey and Gravy

Apple slices and aromatic vegetables line the turkey's roasting pan, creating a colorful rack that adds terrific flavor to both the turkey and pan juices.

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Apple-Goat Cheese Pizza

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Apple-Goat Cheese Pizza

If you plan on making an apple pie for dessert, pick up some extra Granny Smith apples for this savory pizza. Sweet fig preserves and goat cheese pair perfectly with the tart apples.

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Roasted Apples and Parsnips

Photo: Howard Lee Puckett

Recipe: Roasted Apples and Parsnips

Slightly sweet parsnips are paired with Fuji apples and roasted with fresh sage, nutmeg, and allspice for a great fall side dish.

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Apple-Butterscotch Brownies

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Apple-Butterscotch Brownies

Give classic blonde brownies a makeover by adding diced apples to the mix. The apple and butterscotch flavors taste so great together you'll wonder why you never tried this before.

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Mocha-Apple Cake with Browned Butter Frosting

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Mocha-Apple Cake with Browned Butter Frosting

It's impossible to resist the rich and nutty taste of browned butter. But when used in a frosting on top of Mocha-Apple Cake, it's to-die-for good!

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Apple Hello Dolly Bars

Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Apple Hello Dolly Bars

Everyone loves the chocolate, coconut, and pecan layers of Hello Dolly Bars. But throw in a layer of chopped Granny Smiths and people will rave!

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Marian's Apple-Fennel Salad

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipes: Marian's Apple-Fennel Salad

Raw fennel is crisp and tasty, a perfect complement to apples and arugula. Test kitchen professional Marian Cooper Cairns recommends using a handheld mandoline for ultrathin apple slices.

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Upside-Down Caramelized Apple Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Upside-Down Caramelized Apple Cake

This buttery mixture of pecans, brown sugar, and tart Granny Smiths makes for an irresistible treat.

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Bacon-Arugula-Apple Bites

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Bacon-Arugula-Apple Bites

Complement any menu with this no-fuss party appetizer.

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Anne's Quick Apple Dumpling Bundles

Photo: Jennifer Davick, Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Anne's Quick Apple Dumpling Bundles

Short on time? You can still enjoy the flavors of this classic, comforting dessert. To make these apple bundles you only need six ingredients, including refrigerated piecrust, frozen spiced apples, and jarred caramel sauce.

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Carrot-Apple Soup

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Carrot-Apple Soup

The smart technique for this simple soup eliminates the need for sautéing the vegetables, which preserves the bright color and flavor of the carrots and results in a brighter, more refreshing soup. To keep it vegetarian, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.

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Brown Sugar-Apple Simple Syrup

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Brown Sugar-Apple Simple Syrup

Save those apple peels and brew up a bottle of this syrup. It adds a trendy twist to tea, but you can also serve it in place of maple syrup with pancakes, oatmeal, or a warm baked apple.

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Pork Loin Roast With Carolina Apple Compote

Photo: William Dickey

Recipe: Pork Loin Roast With Carolina Apple Compote

Trussing the roast promotes even cooking. If you prefer, ask your butcher to do it for you.

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More

Crisp & Juicy Apple Recipes

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Crisp & Juicy Apple Recipes

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Caramel Apple Cake

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Apple Bread Pudding

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Double Apple Pie with Cornmeal Crust

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Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

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Easy Skillet Apple Pie

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Easy Apple Butter

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Apple Butter-Walnut Thumbprints

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Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

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Apple Butter-and-Cheddar Puffs

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Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

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Apple-Cinnamon Dutch Baby

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Cranberry-Apple Pie with Pecan Shortbread Crust

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Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Pie

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Apple-Pecan Carrot Cake

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Caramel Apple Blondie Pie

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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Tart

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Caramel Apple Fantans

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Apple-Cheddar Bread

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Apple Stack Cake

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Fried Apple Pies

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Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake

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Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

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Caramel Apple Muffins

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Caramel Apple Dip

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Southern-Style Caramel Apples

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Brussels Sprouts with Apples

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Smoked Trout-Apple Hash

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Apple Flatbread

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Apple-Spice Pancakes

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Applesauce Pie

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Blackberry-Apple Upside-Down Cake

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Fresh Apple Cake

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Upside-Down Apple Tart

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Caramel Apple Ice-Cream Tarts

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Caramel Apple Cupcakes

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Caramelized Onion-and-Apple Tassies

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Grill-Roasted Chicken

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