Colorful leaves are changing as the cool crisp weather is quickly getting chillier. It’s time to combat the cold by staying cozy indoors, and autumn is the perfect time to spend quality time in the kitchen, baking. Bask by the warmth of your oven as you bake delicious and delectable dishes that make ideal fall treats for your tummy. Enjoy the adventure solo, or share the baking venture with others.

BAKED APPLES

Ingredients:

4 baking apples (Jonagold, Golden Delicious, or Rome Beauty)

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)

¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground ginger

1 Tablespoon butter

¾ cup boiling water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Use a paring knife to de-stem and carve out a hole in the top center of each apple, and cut out the seeds.
3. Place apples in a baking dish.
4. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, then pack the apples with the mixture. Add butter slices atop each apple.
5. Pour water into bottom of the baking dish and cover with aluminum foil (optional).
6. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.
7. Serve warm and add vanilla ice cream (optional) for an extra-scrumptious treat!

Recipe adapted from: simplyrecipes.com/recipes/baked apples/

PUMPKIN SPICE MUFFINS

Ingredients:

Muffins:

1½ cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground ginger

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice/all spice

1 cup canned pumpkin

2 large eggs

6 Tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

¼ cup sour cream

1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Topping:

½ cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice/all spice

4 Tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line muffin tin with liners.
2. Make the topping: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugars, spices and salt. Stir in melted butter and mix until crumbly.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour,   sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
4. Add pumpkin, eggs, butter, sour cream and vanilla, and mix until combined.
5. Pour batter into muffin liners. Top each muffin with the crumb topping.
6. Bake until muffins are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean, about 20-25 Let muffins cool, then serve.

Recipe adapted from: delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a21960637/pumpkin-spice-muffins/

CHAI APPLE SPICE CAKE

Wondering what spices typically make up chai? Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, star anise, allspice and black pepper all make the list—and, if you’re a pumpkin spice fan, you can also add some pumpkin spice.

Ingredients:

Spice Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk or sour cream

1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

2 medium chopped apples (such as Fuji or Granny Smith)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon cardamom

Crumb Topping:

⅔ cup sugar

⅔ cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon cardamom

1 teaspoon allspice

2 cups flour

¾ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Oil and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan.
3. Mix topping ingredients together with a fork. The mixture should form large, coarse clumps. Set aside.
4. In another bowl, sift the dry ingredients together: the flour, baking powder and baking soda.
5. In a separate bowl, beat butter until creamy, then add the sugar. Add the sifted flour mixture and buttermilk, alternating between the dry flour mixture and the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour. Add in vanilla and don’t over-
6. Toss the chopped apples with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and allspice, then gently fold into the batter.
7. Pour batter into a baking pan, then crumble the topping over the batter, pressing gently to ensure the topping adheres to the batter.
8. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean with no batter sticking to it.
9. Allow the cake to cool and then serve.

Recipe adapted from: cookienameddesire.com/chai-spiced-apple-coffee-cake-chai-crumb/

Your kitchen will smell wonderful while these treats bake, then gather together your family, friends and neighbors to share these sweet delights and celebrate fall!