The fall and winter months are a great time to consider doing some home baking. The cooler weather allows you to heat up your ovens, roll up our sleeves and let the flour fly. It’s also a great way to enjoy all the autumn fruit including the large variety of apples grown locally and from New York State. They’re perfect for adding into pies or muffins to experience all the great flavors of fall. Certain varieties of apples are better for baking than others and will give you the taste and consistency you are looking for. Be sure to ask a sales associate which kind of apples will be best for your baking needs. Apple cider is another fall treat that goes wonderfully with baked goods. Try it slightly warmed with cinnamon sticks or add a mulling spice to kick up the taste.  For something a little different, give this apple bread recipe a try:

Apple Bread

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups diced apples
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 325*F (160*C). Grease two 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans; set aside.
2. In medium bowl combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; set aside.
3. In mixing bowl beat the eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla together, mixing well. Stir in flour mixture until just mixed. Fold in apples and walnuts and spoon into prepared loaf pans.
4. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until tested done when wooden pick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pans before removing to cool on wire racks. Wrap tightly to store.

Makes 2 loaves.

It wouldn’t be autumn without Pumpkins used in breads, muffins and pies. Try our recipe for these pumpkin muffins the whole family will enjoy:

Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup raisins, optional
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preparation:

Into a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Toss lightly with a fork. In separate bowl, combine pumpkin, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla; stir well.

Make a well in center of dry ingredients; pour in pumpkin mixture. Add raisins, if using, and chopped pecans; stir just until ingredients are moistened. Do not over mix. Line 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well and dust with flour. Fill  each about 2/3-full with the pumpkin muffins batter and bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Remove pumpkin muffins and cool. Makes 12 pumpkin muffins.

All of us at Dearborn Market hope you enjoy this bountiful time of year spent enjoying time cooking all your favorite fall baked goods and sharing them with friends and family.  We invite you to visit our new gourmet bakery at Dearborn Market. You’ll find the freshest selection of over 20 varieties of fresh store baked pies, cakes, cookies, dinner rolls, breads, muffins and so much more. Come in and experience all the tempting new scents and flavors.