Fall is the perfect time to embrace the season’s freshest flavors. With apples, pumpkins, squash, and more in abundance, it’s no surprise that autumn produce can be turned into delicious breads, pies, and cakes. So, whether you’re baking for a weekend treat or a holiday gathering, try one of these fall recipes using farm-fresh ingredients from Hicks Nurseries.
Pumpkin Bread
Perfect for chilly mornings or holiday gatherings, this moist pumpkin bread comes together quickly and tastes even better the next day.
INGREDIENTS:
3 1/3 cups of flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2/3 cup of water
2 cups of fresh cooked pumpkin
DIRECTIONS:
- To begin, mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Pour into 2 bread pans.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
- Cool before cutting and serving.
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
Light yet flavorful, this silky pie is a refreshing alternative to traditional pumpkin desserts and is sure to impress.
INGREDIENTS:
Baked 9” pie shell
¾ cup of dark brown sugar
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 cup undiluted evaporated milk
1¼ cups of canned pumpkin
½ cup heavy cream, whipped
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ginger
2 eggs
½ cup cold water
DIRECTIONS:
- First, combine gelatin, ½ cup brown sugar, salt and spices.
- Then, in a double-boiler top, beat egg yolks; stir in milk, water, pumpkin and gelatin mixture.
- Next, cook over boiling water, stirring for about 10 minutes.
- After cooking, refrigerate, stirring occasionally until as thick and syrupy as unbeaten egg white.
- Meanwhile, beat 2 egg whites until fairly stiff; gradually add ¼ cup brown sugar, beating until very stiff; fold into pumpkin mixture.
- Carefully turn into shell.
- Chill in the refrigerator until set.
- Finally, spread whipped cream on pie.
Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
First sweet and spicy, then bursting with blueberry goodness, these rolls are a cozy twist on a breakfast favorite.
DOUGH INGREDIENTS:
2 cups whole milk
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup sugar
2¼ tsp active dry yeast
4-5 cups flour
½ heaping tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1½ tsp salt
FILLING INGREDIENTS:
3-4 tbsp cinnamon
3 tbsp melted butter
1 jar of McCutcheon’s Whole Blueberry Preserves
ICING INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs. powdered sugar
3 tbsp melted butter
¼ cup whole milk
DIRECTIONS:
- First, combine whole milk, vegetable oil and sugar in a large sauce pan.
- Warm over medium heat. Do not allow to boil.
- After that, remove from heat, place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or leave out to cool for 45 minutes,
- Once cooled, sprinkle yeast over top of cooled mixture. Let sit for 1 full minute.
- Next, transfer liquid into a large mixing bowl and mix in 4 cups of flour. Dough should be loose and a little sticky. Cover with a clean towel and allow to sit and rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- After it has risen, mix another ½-1 cup of flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt into the dough. Stir. Dough should be semi-sticky.
- Then, remove dough and place it on a lightly flowered surface. Divide into equal parts.
- Now, roll each half of the dough into rectangles about 8 inches wide and ½ inch thick (length will vary).
- To prepare the filling, melt butter. Stir in cinnamon and sugar.
- After that, brush the dough with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Add a layer of blueberry preserves on top leaving about ½ to 1-inch uncovered dough on one side.
- Carefully roll the dough lengthwise toward the side with the extra space. Once rolled, pinch it closed.
- Next, slice the roll into 1½ inch thick rounds. Transfer rounds to a skillet prepared with melted butter.
- Then, set aside for at least 20 minutes in a warm place to rise again.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 14-17 minutes until golden.
- Meanwhile, to make icing, whip the butter, sugar and milk together.
- Finally, ice while hot and serve.
Apple French Toast
Rich and comforting, then layered with cinnamon and apple flavor, this baked French toast is perfect for fall mornings.
INGREDIENTS:
1 loaf of French, challah or white bread
3 tbsp unsalted butter
5 large eggs
1 jar McCutcheon’s Apple Butter
¼ cup maple syrup
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
2 tbsp cinnamon sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup whole milk
Pinch of salt
DIRECTIONS:
- First, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Meanwhile, butter a large 9 x 12 x 2 baking dish
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, ½ of the apple butter, vanilla and salt.
- In another bowl, mix cream cheese and the remainder of the apple butter.
- Next, cut the bread into 1-inch thick slices on a diagonal.
- Then, coat each slice with egg mixture and place flat in baking dish. Spread cream cheese mixture over layer of bread. Spoon apple butter over cream cheese. Drizzle maple syrup over cream cheese. Dust with cinnamon sugar. Cover with tightly packed layer off egg dipped slices.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- After baking, serve warm, with maple syrup and apple butter.
Apple Crumb
First sweet and tart, then topped with a buttery cinnamon crumble, this apple dessert is a crowd-pleasing classic.
INGREDIENTS:
4 cups peeled apples
¼ cup water
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups white sugar
4 tbsp cinnamon
1 egg
1 cup butter, softened
DIRECTIONS:
- Start by reheating the oven to 350 degrees.
- Then, peel and core apples.
- Next, place apple chunks in a lightly buttered dish.
- After that, mix 1 tbsp cinnamon and 2 tbsp white sugar together. Coast apples with mixture.
- In a medium bowl, mix remaining cinnamon and sugar with the flour. Cut in the softened butter until mixture becomes crumbly.
- Next, whisk the egg until yolk and white are well combined. Then add the egg to the flour and sugar mixture and then pour over apples in baking dish.
- Melt ¼ cup of butter and pour over everything in baking dish.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes at 350 degrees or until everything is golden and bubbly.
- Finally, serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Grandmother’s Apple Tart
Start with a flaky crust, then layer tender apples and a rich cream topping for a timeless dessert everyone will love.
INGREDIENTS:
½ pound short crust dough
1½ pounds apples, peeled, cored and sliced
3-4 tbsp sugar
1 egg
3 tbsp heavy cream
45 ml Kirsch (Brandy)
DIRECTIONS:
- First, line a tart pan with the dough and arrange the apple slices on top.
- Next, sprinkle them with 2-3 tbsp of sugar.
- Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until the pastry is firm but not brown.
- Then, whisk together the egg, 1 tbsp of sugar, the cream and a few drops of Kirsch.
- Finally, pour this mixture over the apples and continue to bake the tart for 15 minutes, or until the cream mixture has set.
- Serve warm or hot.
From classic apple pies to pumpkin-spiced treats, these fall recipes truly capture the cozy flavors of autumn. To bring these comforting dishes to life, pick up your fresh ingredients at Hicks Nurseries and enjoy baking seasonal favorites that add warmth and comfort to every bite.
Additional Information: