Freezer-Friendly Apple Crisp

This apple crisp recipe can be prepped and frozen for up to 9 months — when you’re ready to enjoy it, just pop it into a hot oven, straight from the freezer. It’ll be ready to serve in about an hour. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and your’ll be in apple crisp heaven.

Pile the prepared apples in a pan. You can bake this recipe in a standard baking dish, but when I’m making it to store in the freezer, I like to use disposable “half size” foil pans so I can keep my glass and ceramic baking dishes available for use in the kitchen. I cut the apples about 1/8-inch thick and 1 inch or so wide so they fit easily on a fork or spoon.

Fun fact - when consuming something that can be eaten with either a spoon or a fork, I’m team spoon.

The topping is easily stirred together and spread evenly over the apples.

Seal the pan well with heavy duty aluminum foil and label with date and cooking instructions. If you don’t have heavy duty foil, use a double layer of regular foil and crimp it well.

Bake as directed and enjoy!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• my favorite apple peeler https://amzn.to/3HsvdVw

• disposable “half size” foil pans https://amzn.to/3eCIUoz

• 9x13 casserole dish https://amzn.to/34aVZnf

• heavy duty foil https://amzn.to/3FMcHY6

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Freezer Friendly Apple Crisp

makes one 9x13 casserole dish

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 pounds apples, peeled and sliced thin (golden delicious or gala)

• 2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)

• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F and coat 9x13 baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

2. Place sliced apples in prepared pan, spreading into an even layer.

3. Make the crisp topping by stirring together the remaining ingredients until no dry ingredients remain and clumps start to form.

4. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apples.

5. Seal pan with heavy duty foil or double layer or regular foil.

6. Bake immediately for 30-40 minutes. From frozen, bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered for 30-40 minutes more.

Notes

• Slice apples 1/8-inch thick and about 1-inch wide.

• I suggest using apple varieties that hold their shape well during baking and have a light, sweet flavor (such as golden delicious or gala). The only sugar in this recipe is found in the crumb topping so I avoid using tart apple varieties (like Granny Smith).

• I like to make multiple batches all at once and use disposable half size, deep, steam table pans for storage in the freezer (equivalent to a 9x13 pan). Sometimes the pans come with covers, otherwise cover with a layer of heavy duty foil (or a double layer of regular foil).

• When serving warm, I like to top with vanilla ice cream. When serving cold, I like to top with freshly whipped cream.

Sweet Pumpkin Spice Bread

It’s October which means pumpkin spice season has arrived. I like a few pumpkin spice things, but I know some people who are completely obsessed. They go gaga for everything pumpkin spice. Whether you fall into that obsessed category or not, you’ll love this simple quick bread. And feel free to use canned pumpkin puree (not canned pie filling), which is often less fibrous than fresh pumpkin puree.

Note: If you’d like to try making your own pumpkin puree, pick up a sugar pumpkin from your local farmer’s market. Cut it in half and scoop out the seeds, place it cut side down on a rimmed, oiled half sheet pan, piercing the halves in several places with a sharp knife. Bake in a 400F oven for about 30 minutes, or until the flesh is soft and can easily be scooped out. Cool completely, then puree in a food processor or blender until smooth (you can skip this step if your pumpkin isn’t too fibrous).

Start by preheating the oven to 350F and place the oven rack in the lower middle positions. Prepare your pan by spraying with Baker’s Joy; set aside until needed.

In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, applesauce, sugar, and eggs.

Whisk to combine.

In another mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Whisk well to combine.

Pour the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture and mix well with a rubber or silicone spatula.

No traces of dry ingredients should remain.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake as directed below.

Cool completely before serving. Enjoy!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• 8x4-inch professional loaf pan https://amzn.to/2QomBF2

• Baker’s Joy https://amzn.to/2IxCkiv

• flat whisk https://amzn.to/2QoorFM

• serrated bread knife https://amzn.to/2OuEULj

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PUMPKIN SPICE BREAD

makes one 8x4-inch loaf (1 pound)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)

• 4 ounces applesauce

• 1 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (or double if using dried)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F, coat a 8x4-inch metal loaf pan with Baker’s Joy spray, and place oven rack in lower center position.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, applesauce, sugar, and eggs; set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cloves, and cinnamon.

4. Pour pumpkin mixture into flour mixture and whisk until no dry lumps remain.

5. Spread batter evenly in prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center (and all the way down to the bottom of the pan) comes out clean.

6. Remove bread from oven and rest for 10-15 minutes before unmolding.

7. Allow bread to cool completely on a rack before slicing.

Notes

• To make pumpkin puree, preheat oven to 400F. Cut pumpkin in half, scoop out and remove seeds. Place halves, cut side down, on an oiled half sheet pan. Pierce skin with knife in several places. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the outer skin softens and gives under pressure. When cool enough to handle, scoop flesh and use a food processor or blender to puree (you can skip this step if your squash doesn't have a stringy texture).

• Freeze leftover pureed pumpkin in 1-cup portions so you can bake a fresh loaf whenever the mood strikes.

• This bread freezes beautifully when vacuum sealed or wrapped well in plastic followed by heavy-duty foil, being sure to seal very well. Thaw overnight in the fridge before unwrapping.