MAKE IT CUTE

Its time to get cozy and get baking! 'Tis the season to pull out all the stops for pies, cookies, and all things in-between. With so many delish fruits and veggies in season—apples, pumpkins, or even sweet potatoes, the options for dessert are endless. Here are a few recipes (some classics and a few new finds) to get you inspired and leave you fully satisfied.

Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

-1 disk pie dough (plus 1 disk, if decorating)
-All-purpose flour, for dusting
-1 15 -ounce can pure pumpkin
-1 1/4 cups heavy cream
-2/3 cup granulated sugar
-3 large eggs
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-Coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

Directions

1. Roll out the dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface.

2. Ease into a 9-inch pie plate.

3. Fold the overhanging dough under itself and crimp the edges with your fingers. Pierce the bottom and sides all over with a fork. Chill at least 1 hour or overnight.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the chilled dough with foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Transfer to the oven and bake until the edges are golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

5. Remove the foil and weights and continue baking until the crust is golden all over, 10 to 15 more minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.

6. Make the filling: Gently whisk the pumpkin, cream, granulated sugar, 2 eggs, the cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt (do not overmix). Beat the remaining egg and brush on the crust edge; sprinkle with coarse sugar. Pour the filling into the crust and bake until set around the edges, 50 minutes to 1 hour (the middle will still jiggle slightly). Transfer to a rack; let cool completely.

Recipe credit: Food Network.

Apple Pie

Ingredients:

-4 pounds mixed apples (such as Granny Smith, Gala and McIntosh)
-2/3 cup granulated sugar
-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
-6 tablespoons unsalted butter
-2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or apple pie spice
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-2 disks pie dough
-1 large egg, beaten
-Coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

Directions:

1, Peel and core the apples; slice 1/4 inch thick.

2. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the granulated sugar and lemon juice. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Add the apples and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the flour, cinnamon and salt and stir until the juices thicken, about 2 minutes.

4. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. (The filling can be made up to 2 days ahead; cover and refrigerate.

5. Roll out 1 disk of dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Ease into a 9-inch pie plate. Add the cooled filling and dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.

6. Roll out the remaining disk of dough into a 12-inch round.

7. Lay the dough over the filling and press the two crusts together around the edges. Fold the overhanging dough under itself and crimp with your fingers. Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Cut a few slits in the top crust to let steam escape. Chill 1 hour.

8. Put a baking sheet on the bottom oven rack and preheat to 425 degrees F for at least 30 minutes. Put the pie directly on the hot baking sheet and reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F; bake until the pie is golden and the filling is bubbly, 1 hour to 1 hour, 10 minutes, rotating the pie as needed. (Cover the edges with foil if they are browning too quickly.)

9. Transfer to a rack and let cool until the filling is set, about 3 hours.

Recipe credit: Food Network.

Snickerdoodle Blondies

Ingredients:

-1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
-1 c. sugar
-1/2 c. brown sugar
-2 eggs
-2 tsp. vanilla extract
-2 c. all-purpose flour
-1 tsp. salt
-1 tsp. baking soda
-1 tsp. cinnamon
-Cinnamon-sugar, for sprinkling

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8” x 11” pan with cooking spray or butter.

2. Beat the butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda. Add to wet ingredients and beat until just combined. Transfer batter to pan. Sprinkle top with cinnamon-sugar.

3. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cool.

Recipe credit: Delish.

Chocolate Apple Pops

Ingredients:

-1 c. large semi-sweet chocolate chips
-1 tbsp. coconut oil
-2 large apples
-Caramel sauce, for drizzling
-Melted white chocolate, for drizzling
-Assortment of toppings, recommendations: crushed oreos, crushed pretzels, rainbow sprinkles, M&Ms

Directions:

1. Set up a double boiler: Bring a saucepan of water to a simmer. Set a glass bowl over the saucepan (the bottom of the bowl should not touch the water), then add chocolate chips to bowl. Stir until melted, then stir in coconut oil.

2. Place apples upright on a cutting board and cut into 1/2” to 3/4” slices. Using a paring knife, make a small cut onto the bottom of the apple slice. Insert popsicle stick.

3. Line a large baking sheet with wax paper and grease with cooking spray.

4. Dip apple slices into melted chocolate and place on the baking sheet. Refrigerate until chocolate sets, 5 to 10 minutes.

5. Drizzle with caramel sauce and melted white chocolate and top as desired. Return to refrigerator until the white chocolate and caramel set, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately or store in refrigerator.

Recipe credit: Delish.

What's your favorite fall dessert recipe? Let us know in the comments! 

by Cecelia Yost | 10/2/2016